This work is in support of the APOLLO project (Apache Point Observatory Lunar Laser-ranging Operation, jointly funded by NASA & NSF), which measures the Earth-Moon distance with millimeter precision to test General Relativity and other fundamental physics. APOLLO uses a pulsed laser to range to retro-reflectors on the lunar surface placed by Apollo 11, 14 and 15 astronauts, as well as two unmanned Russian rovers. With archival observations dating back to 1970, lunar laser ranging affords high-precision constraints on fundamental physics, including long-period phenomena.

Already, APOLLO has demonstrated millimeter-precision range measurements (data steadily accumulating since 2006), and has recently begun a funded effort (NASA & NSF) to develop and deploy an advanced absolute timing calibration system for the instrument. Under this funding Wellesley College students were able to play a larger role in this endeavor, through both on-campus hands-on research (hardware development of opto-electronics systems, as well as software development for system control and data analysis), and off-campus research (site visits to the APOLLO instrument at the Apache Point Observatory 3.5m telescope near Sunspot, NM for both observations and system installation/shakedown).