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To: LibWhacker

In 1969, during the first Moon landing, one of the first instruments deployed was a permanent laser device pointed at Earth.

From memory, it improved measurements of the distance between Earth and Moon down to plus or minus 12 inches.

Is it possible that device is still working after more than 50 years?


6 posted on 03/20/2022 2:22:25 AM PDT by zeestephen
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To: zeestephen

It’s a reflector, so it should theoretically last as long as the moon itself.


7 posted on 03/20/2022 2:23:18 AM PDT by ExGeeEye (For dark is the suede that mows like a harvest.)
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To: zeestephen

Lunar Laser Ranging experiment

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_Laser_Ranging_experiment


8 posted on 03/20/2022 2:42:14 AM PDT by Kevmo (Give back Ukes their Nukes https://freerepublic.com/focus/news/4044080/posts)
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To: zeestephen

It’s a retroreflector, A passive device. So long as we have a laser powerful enough to reach the Moon and a telescope to detect the dot, it will work.


15 posted on 03/20/2022 9:38:09 AM PDT by jmcenanly ("The more corrupt the state, the more laws." Tacitus, Publius Cornelius)
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