Satellite laser ranging and precise geodesy.

About twenty fixed satellite laser ranging (SLR) stations and several transportable SLR systems have been operating in the world and more than one million ranges per month have been obtained. The range precision of some precise SLR systems reaches less than one centimeter today. The data obtained are analyzed and worldwide plate motions and other geodetic quantities are estimated. For instance, a recent data analysis shows that Simosato SLR station at the edge of Kii peninsula moves to northwest at 4 cm per year as the crustal deformation within the Eurasian plate. The baseline length between Simosato and Titi sima, where a Japanese transportable system were located, also determined in a precision of 4 mm. Some future satellite laser ranging projects are also mentioned in this paper.