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

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Thierry Appourchaux - , Sorbonne Université, Université Paris-Saclay (Author)
  • Raymond Burston - , Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (Author)
  • Yanbei Chen - , California Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Michael Cruise - , University of Birmingham (Author)
  • Hansjoerg Dittus - , German Aerospace Center (DLR) - Bremen (Author)
  • Bernard Foulon - , Université Paris-Saclay (Author)
  • Patrick Gill - , Natl Phys Lab, National Physical Laboratory - UK (Author)
  • Laurent Gizon - , Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (Author)
  • Hugh Klein - , Natl Phys Lab, National Physical Laboratory - UK (Author)
  • Sergei Klioner - , Research Group for Astronomy, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Sergei Kopeikin - , University of Missouri (Author)
  • Hans Krueger - , German Aerospace Center (DLR) - Bremen (Author)
  • Claus Laemmerzahl - , University of Bremen (Author)
  • Alberto Lobo - , University of Barcelona (Author)
  • Xinlian Luo - , Nanjing University (Author)
  • Helen Margolis - , Natl Phys Lab, National Physical Laboratory - UK (Author)
  • Wei-Tou Ni - , Chinese Academy of Sciences (Author)
  • Antonio Pulido Paton - , Chinese Academy of Sciences (Author)
  • Qiuhe Peng - , Nanjing University (Author)
  • Achim Peters - , Humboldt University of Berlin (Author)
  • Ernst Rasel - , Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) (Author)
  • Albrecht Ruediger - , Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute) (Author)
  • Etienne Samain - , Université Côte d'Azur (Author)
  • Hanns Selig - , University of Bremen (Author)
  • Diana Shaul - , Imperial College London (Author)
  • Timothy Sumner - , Imperial College London (Author)
  • Stephan Theil - , German Aerospace Center (DLR) - Bremen (Author)
  • Pierre Touboul - , Université Paris-Saclay (Author)
  • Slava Turyshev - , California Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Haitao Wang - , Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Author)
  • Li Wang - , China Acad Space Technol, Ctr Res & Dev, Deep Space Explorat & Space Sci Technol Res Div (Author)
  • Linqing Wen - , University of Western Australia (Author)
  • Andreas Wicht - , Humboldt University of Berlin (Author)
  • Ji Wu - , Chinese Academy of Sciences (Author)
  • Xiaomin Zhang - , DFH Satellite Co., Ltd. (Author)
  • Cheng Zhao - , Chinese Academy of Sciences (Author)

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 three 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 (ASTROD II) is envisaged as a three-spacecraft mission which would test General Relativity to 1 ppb, enable detection of solar g-modes, measure the solar Lense-Thirring effect to 10 ppm, 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.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)491-527
Number of pages37
JournalExperimental astronomy
Volume23
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2009
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 69949145910

Keywords

Keywords

  • Probing the fundamental laws of spacetime, Exploring the microscopic origin of gravity, Testing relativistic gravity, Mapping solar-system gravity, Solar g-mode detection, Gravitational-wave detection, ASTROD, ASTROD I, ASTROD-I, GENERAL-RELATIVITY, LASER LINK, LISA, GRAVITY, SOLAR, ACCELERATION, DISTURBANCES