MICROSCOPE, testing the equivalence principle in space

Touboul, Pierre; Rodrigues, Manuel; Métris, Gilles; Tatry, Bernard

doi:10.1016/s1296-2147(01)01264-1

Cited by 44 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…This has triggered a renewed interest in tests of the equivalence principle (see, e.g., [1,81]). CASE implements such a test of the equivalence principle.…”

Section: Using Optically Trapped Microspheres For An All-optical Inermentioning

confidence: 99%

Macroscopic quantum resonators (MAQRO)

Hechenblaikner²,

et al. 2012

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Quantum physics challenges our understanding of the nature of physical reality and of space-time and suggests the necessity of radical revisions of their underlying concepts. Experimental tests of quantum phenomena involving massive macroscopic objects would provide novel insights into these fundamental questions. Making use of the unique environment provided by space, MAQRO aims at investigating this largely unexplored realm of macroscopic quantum physics. MAQRO has originally been proposed as a medium-sized fundamental-science space mission for the 2010 call of Cosmic Vision. MAQRO unites two experiments: DECIDE (DECoherence In Double-Slit Experiments) and CASE (Comparative Acceleration Sensing Experiment). The main scientific objective of MAQRO, which is addressed by the experiment DECIDE, is to test the predictions of quantum theory for quantum superpositions of macroscopic objects containing more than 10 8 atoms. Under these conditions, deviations due to various suggested alternative models to quantum theory would become visible. These models have been suggested to harmonize the paradoxical quantum phenomena both with the classical macroscopic world and with our notion of Minkowski space-time. second scientific objective of MAQRO, which is addressed by the experiment CASE, is to demonstrate the performance of a novel type of inertial sensor based on optically trapped microspheres. CASE is a technology demonstrator that shows how the modular design of DECIDE allows to easily incorporate it with other missions that have compatible requirements in terms of spacecraft and orbit. CASE can, at the same time, serve as a test bench for the weak equivalence principle, i.e., the universality of free fall with test-masses differing in their mass by 7 orders of magnitude.

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“…This has triggered a renewed interest in tests of the equivalence principle (see, e.g., [1,81]). CASE implements such a test of the equivalence principle.…”

Section: Using Optically Trapped Microspheres For An All-optical Inermentioning

confidence: 99%

Macroscopic quantum resonators (MAQRO)

Hechenblaikner²,

et al. 2012

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“…the local positioninvariance, the local Lorentz-invariance and the weak equivalence principle, in a combined mission. It complements other missions which were devised to explore the realm of gravity in different ways, including the soon-to-be-launched ACES [11] and MICROSCOPE [49] missions and the proposed STEP [50] mission.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

STE-QUEST mission and system design

Hechenblaikner¹,

Hess²,

Vitelli³

et al. 2014

Exp Astron

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STE-QUEST is a fundamental science mission which is considered for launch within the Cosmic Vision programme of the European Space Agency (ESA). Its main scientific objectives relate to probing various aspects of Einstein's theory of general relativity by measuring the gravitational red-shift of the earth, the moon and the sun as well as testing the weak equivalence principle to unprecedented accuracy. In order to perform the measurements, the system features a spacecraft equipped with two complex instruments, an atomic clock and an atom interferometer, a ground-segment encompassing several ground-terminals collocated with the best available ground atomic clocks, and clock comparison between space and ground via microwave and optical links. The baseline orbit is highly eccentric and exhibits strong variations of incident solar flux, which poses challenges for thermal and power subsystems in addition to the difficulties encountered by precise-orbit-determination at high altitudes. The mission assessment and definition phase (Phase-A) has recently been completed and this paper gives a concise overview over some system level results.

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“…For the begin-of-life (BOL) and end-of-life (EOL) properties, we employ the values given by the MICROSCOPE mission definition [10][11][12] . Note that the specified values for BOL/EOL values of specular and diffuse reflection are modeled values because no actual data on their properties is available.…”

Section: Orbit Propagation and Srp Modellingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling of in-orbit disturbances for Earth satellites

List¹,

Bremer²,

Rievers³

et al. 2017

The Fourteenth Marcel Grossmann Meeting

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During its lifetime in space, the attitude and the orbit of a satellite are influenced by different perturbations resulting from the space environment. On the one hand, these natural boundary conditions have an impact on the design of the satellite, for instance thermal shielding or the design of the propulsion system. On the other hand, these disturbances may affect any data which is exchanged between a satellite and its ground station. Thus, the modelling and propagation of satellite motion is one of the central tasks in mission analysis. For this purpose, the High Performance satellite dynamics Simulator (HPS) is utilised, a tool that is developed by ZARM in cooperation with the DLR Institute of Space Systems.It has been argued for quite some time that commonly used SRP models like the Cannonball and the Wing-Box model are not sufficient enough for an accurate SRP analysis if the involved geometries differ from a spherical shape or a standard bus and solar panel assembly. This paper will give a short overview on the implications of accurate SRP modelling for the example mission MICROSCOPE and the expected improvement of the implementation of non-gravitational disturbances modelling.

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MICROSCOPE, testing the equivalence principle in space

Cited by 44 publications

References 21 publications

Macroscopic quantum resonators (MAQRO)

Macroscopic quantum resonators (MAQRO)

STE-QUEST mission and system design

Modelling of in-orbit disturbances for Earth satellites

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