STE-QUEST -- Space Time Explorer and QUantum Equivalence principle Space Test: The 2022 medium-class mission concept
Abstract
Space-borne quantum technologies, particularly those based on atom interferometry, are heralding a new era of strategic and robust space exploration. The unique conditions of space, characterized by low noise and low gravity environments, open up diverse possibilities for applications ranging from precise time and frequency transfer to Earth Observation and the search of new Physics. In this paper, we summarise the M-class mission proposal in response to the 2022 call in ESA's science program: Space-Time Explorer and Quantum Equivalence Principle Space Test (STE-QUEST). It consists in a satellite mission featuring a dual-species atom interferometer operating over extended durations. This mission aims to tackle three of the most fundamental questions in Physics: (i) testing the universality of free fall with an accuracy better than one part in , (ii) exploring various forms of Ultra-Light Dark Matter, and (iii) scrutinizing the foundations of Quantum Mechanics.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.2211.15412,
title = {STE-QUEST -- Space Time Explorer and QUantum Equivalence principle Space Test: The 2022 medium-class mission concept},
author = {Naceur Gaaloul and Holger Ahlers and Leonardo Badurina and Angelo Bassi and Baptiste Battelier and Quentin Beaufils and Kai Bongs and Philippe Bouyer and Claus Braxmaier and Oliver Buchmueller and Matteo Carlesso and Eric Charron and Maria Luisa Chiofalo and Robin Corgier and Sandro Donadi and Fabien Droz and John Ellis and Frédéric Estève and Enno Giese and Jens Grosse and Aurélien Hees and Thomas A. Hensel and Waldemar Herr and Philippe Jetzer and Gina Kleinsteinberg and Carsten Klempt and Steve Lecomte and Louise Lopes and Sina Loriani and Victor Martín and Gilles Métris and Gabriel Müller and Miquel Nofrarias and Franck Pereira Dos Santos and Ernst M. Rasel and Mike Salter and Dennis Schlippert and Christian Schubert and Thilo Schuldt and Carlos F. Sopuerta and Christian Struckmann and Guglielmo M. Tino and Tristan Valenzuela and Wolf von Klitzing and Lisa Wörner and Nan Yu and Martin Zelan and Peter Wolf},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2211.15412},
year = {2025}
}
Comments
As submitted to the M7 call in July 2022, except updated for the recent (Sept. 2022) MICROSCOPE results, and findings presented in arXiv:2310.04212; reformatted for journal publication