Schematic Design of New Generation of Lunar Corner Cube Retroreflector with Single Aperture

Abstract

A corner cube retroreflector (CCR) with single large aperture for the new generation of Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) is designed. On the basis of analyzing the current research progress and development trend at home and abroad, the overall design scheme of the single large aperture CCR is introduced, including the design of retroreflector, the scheme of placement on lunar surface, and the environmental testing scheme. It is verified that the 170 mm hollow CCR can realize 68.5% reflecting intensity of ideal Apollo 11 CCR array at 532 nm. This study is anticipated to promote the precision of LLR for a single photon received to millimeter level.

Keywords

lunar laser ranging / laser retroreflector / hydroxide-catalysis bonding / environmental test