Measurement of LAGEOS-2 rotation by satellite laser ranging observations

The unprecedented single shot precision of the new-born Matera Laser Rangin g Observatory (MLRO), that can reach a scattering down to a few millimeters on LAGEOS orbit, discloses new chances in studying the high frequency dyna mics. In this work we present the very first LAGEOS-2 observations in terms of range residuals and discuss the cause of the high frequencies noticed s ince the testing phase of the MLRO system. There are sufficient theoretical and experimental evidences to interpret those signals as rotational signat ures of the spinning satellite and the first quantitative results we obtain ed indicates a rotation period of 23.5 s on May 31, 2000.