Research Projects | Physical Geodesy and Space Geodetic Techniques

Relativistic investigations with LLR data

Led by:  Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Jürgen Müller
Team:  Dr.-Ing. Liliane Biskupek
Year:  2019
Funding:  Germany’s Excellence Strategy – EXC-2123 QuantumFrontiers (DFG)
Duration:  2019 - 2025
Further information https://www.quantumfrontiers.de/de/forschung/anwendungen/b6/

Since 2015, Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) observations with infrared laser have been successfully carried out by the stations OCA in France and Wettzell in Germany. This results in a large number of highly accurate measurements, allowing better coverage of the lunar orbit as well as better distributed measurements to the different reflectors. This in turn has a positive effect on LLR data analysis, especially on the study of Einstein's theory of relativity. This advantage will be investigated in the project and the data analysis adapted accordingly. It includes improved modelling of the stochastic model and improved outlier tests. The more accurate analysis programme is to be used in collaboration with partners within the Cluster of Excellence to address further relativistic questions that have not been part of the LLR analysis so far (e.g. investigations of the equivalence of active and passive mass).