LARES

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LARES is classified as:

NORAD ID: 38077

Int'l Code: 2012-006A

Launch date: February 13, 2012
Source: Italy (IT)
Launch site: FRENCH GUIANA (FRGUI)

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LARES (Laser Relativity Satellite) is an Italian Space Agency scientific satellite which was launched by the new European launch vehicle Vega. The satellite, completely passive, is made of tungsten alloy and houses 92 cube corner retroreflectors that are used to track the satellite via laser from stations on Earth. LARES's body has a diameter of about 36.4 centimetres (14 in) and weighs about 400 kilograms (882 lb). LARES was inserted in an orbit with 1,400 kilometres (870 mi) of perigee, an inclination from 60 to 86 degrees and reduced eccentricity. The satellite is tracked by the International Laser Ranging Service stations. The main scientific target of the LARES mission is the measurement of the Lense–Thirring effect, also known as frame-dragging, with an accuracy of about 1%. The reliability of such an estimate has been controversial. The LARES satellite may also be used for measurements in the fields of geodynamics and satellite geodesy.