May 4 1976
From The Space Library
NASA launched Lageos-a laser geodynamic satellite-from Western Test Range on a Delta rocket at 3 am CDT (0800 GMT) into a near-circular orbit with 5940-km apogee, 5845-km perigee, inclination of 109.8°, and period of 225.5 min. Lageos, resembling a "cosmic golfball" 60 cm in diameter and weighing 411 kg, would act in space as a sophisticated mirror reflecting laser beams directed at it by stations on the ground; scientists timing the round trip of the laser beams would be able to detect movement of the earth's surface as small as 2 cm. The 3-yr phase 1 of the Lageos mission would validate laser-ranging techniques as compared with long-baseline interferometry and lunar laser ranging; phase 2 would consist of application of phase-1 techniques continuously for the usable life of the passive satellite. Although Lageos was not expected to fallback to earth for at least 8 million yr, and contained no moving parts or electronics to wear out, the 426 laser reflectors on its surface would be eroded in the space environment probably within 50 yr. (NASA Release 76-67; MSFC Release 76-82; MOR E-639-76-01 [prelaunch] 28 Apr 76, [postlaunch] 27 May 76; NYT, 5 May 76, 30; W Post, 5 May 76, A-8)
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