Photomultiplier reception of satellite beacon flashes

Experiments have been performed on the electrooptical detection of flashes from satellite-borne beacons for the purposes of establishing the time of flash at the observing site, measurement of received pulse shape, and relative measurement of received energy. Initial observations have been made of the beacons carried by the geodetic satellite GEOS-B. Time of flash has been obtained to a precision of 0.1 msec. Pulse shape and energy measurements have been made for various slant ranges and at various voltages on the photomultiplier circuits. Continued testing is directed toward microsecond timing of flash reception.