Review of the development of Lunar Laser Ranging

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the development of Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR), covering key components such as ground observatories, lunar retro-reflectors, and data formats. The paper details the evolution of LLR experiments conducted by some major world-class observatories, with a particular focus on addressing critical issues associated with LLR technology. Additionally, the article highlights the latest advancements in the field, elucidating scientific achievements derived from LLR data, including its contributions to gravitational theory, Earth Orientation Parameters, lunar physics exploration, and lunar librations. The review summarizes new challenges in LLR modeling and concludes with prospects for the future development of LLR.