Satellite laser ranging is a proven geodetic technique with
significant potential for important contributions to scientific
studies of the Earth/Atmosphere/Oceans system. It is the most
accurate technique currently available to determine the
geocentric position of an Earth satellite, allowing for the
precise calibration of radar altimeters and separation of long-
term instrumentation drift from secular changes in ocean
topography. Its ability to measure the variations over time in
the Earth’s gravity field and to monitor motion of the station
network with respect to the geocenter, together with the
capability to monitor vertical motion in an absolute system,
makes it unique for modeling and evaluating long-term climate
change by: SLR stations form an important part of the
international network of space geodetic observatories, which
include VLBI, GPS, DORIS and PRARE systems. On several critical
missions, SLR has provided failsafe redundancy when other
radiometric tracking systems have failed. Laser ranging to