Satellite Laser Ranging
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The group headed by K. Hamal was formed in 1972 to support the satellite laser ranging activity. Within the Interkosmos group it significantly contributed to the formation of the global Satellite Laser Ranging Network. Currently, the group operates the satellite laser station (SLR) in Helwan - Egypt. The SLR station at Helwan was set up under a joint program with NRIAG - Egypt, CTU FNSPE - Czech, Astronomical Council - Russia and SAO - USA. The ranging precision has been continually improved from the original value of several meters down to a centimeter level in the nineties. The Helwan site is an important station in the SLR network the only SLR station on the African continent with a measurement record of more than 20 years..
The Raman picoseconds laser generation and photon counting in the near infrared is investigated for eye safe laser ranging. Multiple wavelengths laser ranging is exploited for atmospheric studies.
- Joint projects with National Research Institute of Astronomy and
Geophysics (NRIAG), Helwan-Cairo for operation and upgrading of SLR
station Helwan.
- Participation in global scientific projects, using SLR data from
more than 10 satellites.
- SLR station in Helwan was selected in 1998 for the newly
established ILRS (International Laser Radar Service) network.
- Particular information about SLR network, technical description
of SLR stations and satellites, analysis of SLR data, reports, news,
etc. are available on WWW pages of the ILRS.
http://ilrs.gsfc.nasa.gov.
Projects supported by grants
- NRIAG, Helwan-Cairo, Egypt; Development of the Equipments for SLR Station Helwan.
List of Selected Publications and Conference Contributions
- Procházka, I.: SPAD based SLR systems calibration scheme
recommendation [Invited Lecture]. EurOpto EOS/SPIE Symposium on
Remote Sensing. 1999-09-23
- Procházka, I. - Novotný, A.: Ground target calibration scheme,
SLR station Helwan [Invited Lecture]. EurOpto EOS/SPIE Symposium on
Remote Sensing. 22.09.1999.
- Čech, M. - Hamal, K. - Jelínková, H. - Novotný, A. - Procházka,
I. - Helali, Y. - Tawadros, M: Upgrading of the Helwan Laser
Station (1997-1998). In: Proceedings 11th International Workshop on
Laser Ranging. Vol 2. Frankfurt am Main: Verlag des Bundesamtes für
Kartographie und Geodasie, 1999, p. 197-200. - ISBN 3-88648-094-1
- Novotný, A.: Human Factor as an Important Phenomenon of GLOBAL
SLR Network. In: Proceedings 11th International Workshop on Laser
Ranging. Vol 2. Frankfurt am Main: Verlag des Bundesamtes für
Kartographie und Geodasie, 1999, p. 317-319. - ISBN 3-88648-094-1
- Procházka, I.: Differential Satellite Laser Ranging SLR System
Diagnostics Tool. In: Proceedings 11th International Workshop on
laser Ranging. Vol. 2. Frankfurt am Main: Verlag des Bundesamtes fur
Kartographie und Geodasie. 1999. p. 660-663. - ISBN 3-88648-094-1
- Čech, M.: Laser Radar Control System. In: Proceedings of
Workshop 2000. Prague: CTU, 2000, vol. A, p. 220. ISBN 80-01-02229
- Novotný, A. - Čech, M. - Jelínková, H. - Hamal, K. - Procházka, I. - Helali, Y. - Khalil, K.- Tawadros, M.: Satellite Laser Ranging Station Helwan as a Part of the Global Network, International Projects in Earth Science and Astronomy. In: Proceedings of Workshop 2000. Prague: CTU, 2000, vol. A, p.196. ISBN 80-01-02229