1. New Concepts for Space-Based Gravitational Wave Missions
- Author
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Stebbins, Robin T, Baker, J. G, Cooley, D. S, Gallagher, R. J, Hughes, S. P, Livas, J. C, Simpson, J. E, Thorpe, J. I, and Welter, G. L
- Subjects
Astrophysics - Abstract
The most astrophysically interesting sources in the gravitational wave spectrum lie in the low-frequency band (0.0001 - 1 Hz), which is only accessible from space. For two decades, the LISA concept has been the leading contender for a detector in this band. Despite a strong recommendation from Astro2010, there is strong motivation to find a less expensive concept, even at the loss of some science. We are searching for a lower cost mission concept by examining alternate orbits, less-capable measurement concepts, radically different implementations of the measurement concept and other cost-saving ideas. We report the results of our searches to date, and summarize the analyses behind them.
- Published
- 2011