# International Laser Ranging Service

> international service that coordinates worldwide laser distance measurements

**Wikidata**: [Q1275198](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1275198)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Laser_Ranging_Service)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/international-laser-ranging-service

## Summary
The International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) is an international organization that coordinates worldwide laser distance measurements. Established in September 1998, the service serves as a central body for the collection and distribution of laser ranging data. It is recognized as an international organization and maintains a primary web presence hosted by NASA.

## Key Facts
- **Full Name:** International Laser Ranging Service
- **Common Abbreviation:** ILRS
- **Instance Of:** International organization
- **Inception Date:** September 1998 (specifically 1998-09-00)
- **Primary Function:** Coordinates worldwide laser distance measurements
- **Official Website:** http://ilrs.gsfc.nasa.gov/ (English)
- **Reference Documentation:** Described at http://ilrs.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/cospar_paper_warsaw_final.pdf (PDF format, English)
- **Wikipedia Presence:** Available in 3 languages (German, English, Russian)
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/122zp_wk

## FAQs
**What is the primary purpose of the ILRS?**
The International Laser Ranging Service functions as an international service dedicated to coordinating laser distance measurements on a global scale.

**When was the International Laser Ranging Service founded?**
The service was established in September 1998.

**Where can official information about the ILRS be found?**
Official information is hosted on its website at ilrs.gsfc.nasa.gov, and a detailed description is available in a PDF document located at http://ilrs.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/cospar_paper_warsaw_final.pdf.

**In which languages is the ILRS Wikipedia entry available?**
The Wikipedia entry for the organization is available in German, English, and Russian.

## Why It Matters
The International Laser Ranging Service plays a critical role in the global geodetic community by providing the essential coordination required for worldwide laser distance measurements. By operating as a centralized international organization, it ensures that data collection standards and dissemination are unified across participating nations. This coordination is vital for maintaining the consistency and accuracy of geodetic and fundamental parameter data used in scientific research.

## Notable For
- Serving as the central coordinating body for global laser distance measurements.
- Operating as a recognized international organization established in the late 1990s.
- Maintaining a digital presence through a NASA-hosted gateway (ilrs.gsfc.nasa.gov).
- Providing comprehensive documentation regarding its formation and operations through archived COSPAR papers.

## Body

### Organizational Identity and Classification
The International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) is formally classified as an international organization. This classification is supported by references found in its foundational documentation, specifically the COSPAR paper presented in Warsaw. The organization is identified in the Google Knowledge Graph under the ID `/g/122zp_wk`.

### History and Inception
The ILRS was officially established in September 1998. The inception date is recorded specifically as 1998-09-00, marking the formal beginning of its operations. Details regarding its formation and initial objectives are preserved in a reference document titled "cospar_paper_warsaw_final.pdf," which serves as a verifiable source for the organization's founding timeline.

### Multilingual and Digital Presence
The organization maintains a significant digital footprint. Its official website is hosted at `http://ilrs.gsfc.nasa.gov/`, which is presented in English. The ILRS is also represented on Wikipedia with the title "International Laser Ranging Service." This presence extends across three languages: German (de), English (en), and Russian (ru), with a total of three sitelinks recorded.

### Aliases and Nomenclature
The entity is known by several names and aliases across different contexts. In addition to its full English name, it is commonly abbreviated as ILRS. The organization is also referred to by its Japanese names: "インターナショナル・レーザー・レンジング・サーヴィス" and "インターナショナル・レーザー・レンジング・サービス."

### Documentation and References
The service is described in detail at the URL `http://ilrs.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/cospar_paper_warsaw_final.pdf`. This document, hosted in English and formatted as a PDF, provides the primary reference for the organization's classification and inception. The data regarding the website and organizational structure was retrieved and archived on September 3, 2016.

## References

1. [Source](http://ilrs.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/cospar_paper_warsaw_final.pdf)