THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND TESTING OF A HIGH PRECISION LUNAR LASER RANGING STATION

Lunar ranging data collected over the past decade and a half have allowed the production of empirical models for the motion of the Earth-Moon system. These models fit all the data with a root mean square residual spread of, at best, eighteen centimeters. Much has been learned in the fields of relativity, gravitation, selenodynamics, and geodynamics with ranging data at this level, but more accurate data are still desired.;Contained herein are the design criteria, descriptions, and measurements of the performance of the various components of this ranging system. Particular attention is given to the laser system and the testing of new single photon detectors. New techniques of optical coupling and timing calibration as well as preliminary ranging results are described.;The goal of the thesis is to apply technological advances in lasers and detection electronics to the problem of improving the precision and accuracy of the lunar ranging data to the one centimeter level. Also, by demonstrating the feasibility of improved signal rates and precise automated tracking of the lunar targets, it is hoped that more small telescope ranging stations will become involved in lunar ranging. Towards this end, a new lunar ranging system has been completed at the Goddard Precision Tracking 48-inch Telescope in Greenbelt, Maryland. It incorporates a new short pulse, high average power laser designed specifically for this purpose.