Use of LARES satellite data for Earth science

Even though originally designed for testing frame-dragging as predicted by general relativity, LARES satellite data are widely exploited also for Earth science. Being a passive satellite, its contribution is expected to continue for several decades. Geodesy, geodynamics and the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) use an ensemble of techniques including Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR), Very Long baseline Interferometry (VLBI) and microwave tracking of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), to generate scientific products useful in Earth System monitoring. Initially, passive geodetic satellites pioneered, among other things, the determination of plate tectonic motion and the accurate observation of the long wavelength gravitational field of Earth. The recent additions to this group of passive SLR targets will result in further improvement of the reference frame, which in turn will have an impact in many other areas, from global environmental monitoring to more accurate GNSS positioning. In fact phenomena such as sea level change, global ice melting and angular momentum exchange between the atmosphere and solid Earth provide useful information for global climate change. The paper will present recent results in the field of Earth science obtained with the contribution of LARES satellite data.