Science, Technology and Mission Design for the Laser Astrometric Test Of Relativity
Abstract
The Laser Astrometric Test Of Relativity (LATOR) is a Michelson-Morley-type experiment designed to achieve a major improvement in the accuracy of the tests of relativistic gravity in the solar system. By using a combination of independent time-series of gravitational deflection of light in the immediate proximity to the Sun, along with measurements of the relativistic time delay on interplanetary scales (to a precision respectively better than 0.1 picoradians and 1 cm), LATOR will measure the key post-Newtonian Eddington parameter \gamma with accuracy of one part in a billion - a factor of 30,000 improvement compared to the present best result, Cassini's 2003 test. LATOR's primary measurement pushes to unprecedented accuracy the search for cosmologically relevant scalar-tensor modifications of gravity by looking for a remnant scalar field in today's solar system. We present a comprehensive discussion of the science objectives, proposed technology, mission and optical designs, as well as the expected performance of this fundamental physics experiment in space.
Cite
@article{arxiv.gr-qc/0601035,
title = {Science, Technology and Mission Design for the Laser Astrometric Test Of Relativity},
author = {Slava G. Turyshev and Michael Shao and Kenneth L. Nordtvedt},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:gr-qc/0601035},
year = {2007}
}
Comments
56 pages, 32 figures, 5 tables. To appear in proceedings of the 359th WE-Heraeus Seminar on "Lasers, Clocks, and Drag-Free: Technologies for Future Exploration in Space and Tests of Gravity," ZARM, Bremen, Germany, May 30-June 1, 2005