MLRS: A Lunar/Artificial Satellite Laser Ranging Facility at the McDonald Observatory

The McDonald Laser Ranging Station (MLRS) is a dualpurpose nstallation designed to obtain observations from both artificial satellite and lunar. targets. It was originally constructed to replace lunar activity on the McDonald 2.7-m telescope and, at the same time, establish artificial satellite ranging capabilities at the Observatory. The system is designed around a 0.76-m telescope assembly and uses a very narrow 532-nm wavelength laser pulse. The MLRS is presently operational near Fort Davis, Texas, in support of the NASA Crustal Dynamics Project.