Laura Rubino
Papers
1
Total Citations
4
H-Index
1
About
Laura Rubino is a leading figure in lunar laser ranging and space geodesy, whose work directly extends a half-century of precision measurements of the Moon’s orbit. Her key research focuses on the design, deployment, and performance of next-generation laser retroreflectors for lunar science. Rubino’s major contribution is her central role in developing MoonLIGHT and MPAc, the European Space Agency’s advanced retroreflectors for NASA’s CLPS/PRISM1A mission. These instruments promise to improve ranging accuracy from the current ~1 cm RMS to the millimeter scale, unlocking new tests of general relativity and lunar interior structure. Her most-cited paper (2025, 4 citations) already frames this leap in precision, building on the legacy of Apollo and Lunokhod arrays deployed 55 years ago. Beyond this flagship work, Rubino’s impact is evident in her contributions to the design of compact, thermally stable retroreflectors that survive harsh lunar surface conditions. Her achievements position her at the forefront of a new era in lunar laser ranging, where sub-centimeter accuracy will transform our understanding of the Earth-Moon system and fundamental physics.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1