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SUMMARY:Geotechnical investigations at Matjiesfontein Space Geodesy Observ
 atory for the emplacement of geodetic and geoscience instruments
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20140930T120000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20140930T121500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20261006T154358Z
UID:indico-contribution-4002@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Leon Croukamp (Stellenbosch University)\nThe donatio
 n of a 1 m Cassegrain telescope by France to HartRAO facilitated the devel
 opment of a combined Satellite and Lunar Laser Ranger (S/LLR). The S/LLR w
 ill be located at Matjiesfontein\, South Africa and will be collocated wit
 h a gravimeter\, seismograph and a Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GN
 SS) receiver. In addition to the mentioned instruments\, the site could be
  considered for the installation of two 34 m dishes as part of the NASA De
 ep Space Tracking Network. These dishes may be suitable for International 
 Celestial Reference Frame VLBI experiments. The possible future installati
 on of a DORIS system will further enhance satellite tracking and orbit cal
 culations.\nGeotechnical properties of the terrain at Matjiesfontein are o
 f crucial importance for the stability of these instruments as they should
  be anchored to firm bedrock. This will allow the measurement of the Earth
 ’s crust and allow precise orbit and range determination. The LLR is des
 igned to achieve sub-cm accuracy ranges from Earth to the retro-reflectors
  placed on the lunar surface during the Apollo and Lunokhod era. Geotechni
 cal work undertaken at the designated Matjiesfontein site includes measure
 ments of the strength of materials\, slope stability\, road design and exc
 avation depth. An accurate 3D model (within 10 cm) of the terrain is also 
 being created through the collection of high density height measurements w
 ith the use of GPS instruments.\nInvestigations also include appropriate p
 lacement of administrative buildings\, sewerage tank placement and install
 ation and distribution of services such as access\, water\, electricity an
 d potential future communication lines such as fibre-optic cable. The acce
 ss road to the site is severely eroded and an appropriate design inclusive
  of low level river crossings will be done based on predicted future use. 
 An environmental impact assessment is currently underway and should be com
 pleted by the year end. Here we report on the progress to date and provide
  an outline of future work to be done.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event
 /40/contributions/4002/
LOCATION:Matjiesfontein's Lord Milner Hotel Conference Room\, Matjiesfonte
 in Station
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/40/contributions/4002/
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