STE-QUEST mission and system design

Abstract

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.

Quantum technologies in space

“…In 2010, an ESA roadmap highlighted space-borne IQS for fundamental physics in space, such as gravitational wave detection. IQS were selected for studies by ESA for satellite gravimetry using cold-atom interferometry (CAI) [ 12 ], the Lense-Thirring effect with the hyper-precision cold-atom interferometry in space proposal (HYPER) [ 31 ], as transportable devices in the space atom interferometer proposal (SAI) and, most recently, was among the three selected candidate missions for a quantum test of the equivalence principle (STE-QUEST: Space-Time Explorer and QUantum Equivalence principle Space Test) [ 29 ]. Concerns of technological immaturity prevented selection and motivated support for some critical payload sub-components.…”

“…In 2010, ESA published with community support a roadmap for fundamental physics highlighting the role of quantum technologies [ 24 ]. Prominent fundamental-physics mission proposals such as STE-QUEST [ 29 ] and Macroscopic Quantum Resonators (MAQRO) [ 34 , 36 ] were investigated by ESA with no clear elected candidate. HYPER [ 31 ] and, recently the Quantum Physics Platform (QPPF) [ 25 ], were selected for a pilot study by the concurrent design facility (CDF).…”

Quantum Technologies for Space

“…In 2010, ESA published with community support a roadmap for fundamental physics highlighting the role of quantum technologies [24]. Prominent fundamentalphysics mission proposals such as STE-QUEST [29] and Macroscopic Quantum Resonators (MAQRO) [34,36] were investigated by ESA with no clear elected candidate. HYPER [31] and, recently the Quantum Physics Platform (QPPF) [25], were selected for a pilot study by the concurrent design facility (CDF).…”

Formulation of geopotential difference determination using optical-atomic clocks onboard satellites and on ground based on Doppler cancellation system

“…For instance, the project Space Optical Clocks 2 of European Space Agency planned to install transportable lattice optical clocks with inaccuracy of 10 −16 -10 −17 on board (Schiller et al 2012;Botter et al 2014). The Space-Time Explorer and QUantum Equivalence Space Test space mission was planned to be launched around 2024 which can compare clocks between satellite and ground down to the inaccuracy of 1 × 10 −18 level (Altschul et al 2014;Hechenblaikner et al 2014). China planned to launch Experiment Space Station in the period 2021-2023, in which an OAC system with inaccuracy of 10 −17 level or better will be installed on board (Private communication, 2015).…”