Introduction and Outline of the Activities (Michito Imae)

According to this change, the research field for each section is categorized as followings:

Space and time measurements section:

Precise measurement of time and frequency in the space and time project

Space geodesy section:

Precise measurement of space in the space and time project Research on SLR

Radio astronomy applications section:

Observation and analysis using 34m antenna system and technical development

a. Status of Kashima 34m
The repair of the 34m antenna was almost finished. CRL is making efforts to full automatic VLBI observations by the K-4 VLBI system using cassette tape auto-changer (DMS-24).
b. Technical developments of VLBI system
New K-4 Input Interface for VLBI
The development of the new K-4 Input Interface was completed and it is applied to the Key Stone Project observation system.
New generation VLBI system
Design of the new generation VLBI terminal that will have Gbps class sampling rate has started.
Milli-meter wave receivers
Development of a compact and low noise SIS 40 GHz band receiver for 34m antenna. It will be expand to the 100GHz band low noise receiving system.
High speed data transfer for real time VLBI.
Basic study of real-time VLBI using ultra-high speed ATM network, as a break-through for VLBI technique.
c. VLBI experiments
Earth rotation VLBI experiments
Once or twice a month VLBI experiments are performed under the cooperation with the Mizusawa Earth rotation network center of IRIS-P.
Kashima-Urmuqi VLBI experiments using K-4 system
Japan-Russia pulsar VLBI experiments
Domestic VLBI experiments
Experiments for the movement after the eastern part of east-north Japan earthquake under the cooperation between Mizusawa VLBI station of National Astronomical Observatory are being performed.
Sea level monitoring VLBI
VLBI experiments in cooperation with Geographical Survey Institute were performed.
Metropolitan Diamond Cross(MDX) experiments
VLBI experiments in cooperation with Geographical Survey Institute were performed for connection with KSP stations.
Domestic VLBI experiment with Nobeyama Radio Observatory and Usuda station of ISAS
Cooperation to the Japanese VLBI network
d. Related activities for TDC
Satellite Laser Ranging
International SLR symposium was held in Australia using the fund of STA (Science and Technology Agency). Infra-red SLR experiment has been performed with the international cooperation.
Pulsar study
Development of a precise timing observation system using AOS (Acoustic Optic Spectrometer) has been performed and continuous observation will be started. Pulsar VLBI with Russian station was performed.
Basic research for space VLBI
Research target is changed to only the transmission of reference signal to the ETS-6 satellite because of the failure of the ETS-6 satellite to achieve geostationary orbit.