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This study aims to improve the Laser Ranging Instrument of the GRACE Follow-On mission in terms of instrument layout, algorithms for the laser link acquisition and techniques for mitigating the range measurement noise. The solutions discussed herein are mainly verified using numerical simulations, although experimental tests are also presented for validating the simulation hypothesis and verifying their compliancy to a realistic mission scenario.

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Dr. Filippo Ales obtained his master´s degree in Space Engineering at the University La Sapienza of Rome in 2012 and his Ph.D. at the University of Bremen in 2017. He is currently working as MSI coordinator for the Sentinel-2 project at Airbus Defence and Space Friedrichshafen.

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