A significant activity is taking place at the Norwegian Mapping Authority's Ny-Ålesund Geodetic Observatory in Svalbard, Norway. NASA is making progress in the development of a new satellite laser ranging system (SLR) at the observatory. SLR is fundamental to precisely determining the position of retro-reflector equipped satellites which in turn provides important information into the generation of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame and an understanding of where everything is. The measurements made from SLR systems around the world are helping countries make informed decisions about climate, sea rise, and other important major changes that are affecting the Earth.
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The Ny-Ålesund SGSLR dome hydraulic pump was successfully replaced in August 2022 by Baader Planetarium as warranty work. The original pump was replaced with one that has a larger motor and does not require a heating element. Continued testing post-installation indicates that this replacement pump is working well.
The Space Geodesy Project completed the installation of the dome, riser, and optical bench support structure for the new NASA Space Geodesy Satellite Laser Ranging (SGSLR) station at Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard. The installation was performed by members of the SGSLR KBR team and the dome manufacturer Baader Planetarium, along with support from the Norwegian Mapping Authority and King's Bay AS.
SGSLR's third dome, built for Ny-Ålesund, Norway, successfully passed the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) at Baader Planetarium in Mammendorf Germany on 2 July 2020. Jan McGarry (NASA) and KBR team members, including Scott Wetzel and Howard Donovan, attended the FAT virtually. KBR approved the FAT and accepted the dome. Installation of the dome at Ny-Ålesund is expected to occur in September 2020.
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