[FPSPACE] Astrodynamical Space Test of Relativity using Optical Devices I (ASTROD I)

[LARRY KLAES]

Astrodynamical Space Test of Relativity using Optical Devices I (ASTROD I) - 
A class-M fundamental physics mission proposal for Cosmic Vision 2015-2025

Authors: Thierry Appourchaux, Raymond Burston, Yanbei Chen, Michael Cruise, 
Hansjoerg Dittus, Bernard Foulon, Patrick Gill, Laurent Gizon, Hugh Klein, 
Sergei Klioner, Sergei Kopeikin, Hans Krueger, Claus Laemmerzahl, Alberto 
Lobo, Xinlian Luo, Helen Margolis, Wei-Tou Ni, Antonio Pulido Paton, Qiuhe 
Peng, Achim Peters, Ernst Rasel, Albrecht Ruediger, Etienne Samain, Hanns 
Selig, Diana Shaul, Timothy Sumner, Stephan Theil, Pierre Touboul, Slava 
Turyshev, Haitao Wang, Li Wang, Linqing Wen, Andreas Wicht, Ji Wu, Xiaomin 
Zhang, Cheng Zhao

(Submitted on 5 Feb 2008)

Abstract: ASTROD I is a planned interplanetary space mission with multiple 
goals. The primary aims are: to test General Relativity with an improvement 
in sensitivity of over 3 orders of magnitude, improving our understanding of 
gravity and aiding the development of a new quantum gravity theory; to 
measure key solar system parameters with increased accuracy, advancing solar 
physics and our knowledge of the solar system and to measure the time rate 
of change of the gravitational constant with an order of magnitude 
improvement and the anomalous Pioneer acceleration, thereby probing dark 
matter and dark energy gravitationally. It is an international project, with 
major contributions from Europe and China and is envisaged as the first in a 
series of ASTROD missions.

ASTROD I will consist of one spacecraft carrying a telescope, four lasers, 
two event timers and a clock. Two-way, two-wavelength laser pulse ranging 
will be used between the spacecraft in a solar orbit and deep space laser 
stations on Earth, to achieve the ASTROD I goals. A second mission,

ASTROD II is envisaged as a three-spacecraft mission which would test 
General Relativity to one part per billion, enable detection of solar 
g-modes, measure the solar Lense-Thirring effect to 10 parts per million, 
and probe gravitational waves at frequencies below the LISA bandwidth. In 
the third phase (ASTROD III or Super-ASTROD), larger orbits could be 
implemented to map the outer solar system and to probe primordial 
gravitational-waves at frequencies below the ASTROD II bandwidth.

Comments:  26 pages, 11 figures, shortened from the original cosmic vision 
proposal, submitted to Experimental Astronomy

Subjects:  Astrophysics (astro-ph)

Cite as:  arXiv:0802.0582v1 [astro-ph]

Submission history

From: Wei-Tou Ni [view email]

[v1] Tue, 5 Feb 2008 10:22:20 GMT (749kb)

http://arxiv.org/abs/0802.0582