November 7-11, 2022
The International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) has celebrated the 22nd edition of its International Workshop in Guadalajara (Spain). Organised by the Observatory of Yebes, the National Geographic Institute of Spain (IGN/CNIG), and the ILRS, over 170 delegates from 20 different countries participated in the conference, which took place on 7–11 November 2022.
With the theme "Reconnecting the ILRS community", this event was for the first time in a hybrid format, with both in person and online participation. After the restrictions imposed during the pandemic, this conference was an excellent opportunity for the experts in the various SLR-related fields to meet, discuss and exchange ideas and new developments.
The scientific and technical programme comprised 10 sessions, with topics touching upon geodetic science and analysis, data processing, satellite missions, the ground network, engineering and new applications, lunar laser ranging and deep space, and space debris. Seventy-seven oral talks and thirty-two posters were presented, including four invited talks given by Nicholas Brown (Geosciences Australia), Pablo de Vicente (Observatory of Yebes), Rüdiger Haas (Onsala Space Observatory), and Tim Flohrer (ESA). Most of the talks can be accessed online from this site or directly from the conference youtube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@22ndIWLR.
Among many other notable points, the conference heard about the contribution of SLR to the latest realizations of the terrestrial reference frame; state of the art analysis strategies for POD and parameter estimation from SLR and LLR observations; the challenges and path towards processing refinements; ground network expansion; and engineering innovations that push the boundaries of precision, accuracy, stability and productivity of the technique.
As in previous occasions, the ILRS handed in the SLR Innovation Awards in recognition to colleagues with especially remarkable contributions to the development of the technique. This year the awards were given to Ron Noomen (TU Delft), Jean-Marie Torre (Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur), and Graham Appleby (NERC Space Geodesy Facility). The various ILRS Standing Committees met in person as well for the first time in three years, including its Governing Board, which elected Stephen Merkowitz (NASA/GSFC) as its Chair for the 2023–2024 term.
