1. Ground-based self-gravity tests for LISA Pathfinder and LISA
- Author
-
D Wealthy, C Warren, and C Trenkel
- Subjects
Physics ,History ,Gravity (chemistry) ,Spacecraft ,business.industry ,Torsion spring ,Computer Science Applications ,Education ,Gravitation ,General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology ,Noise ,Theoretical physics ,Pathfinder ,Sensitivity (control systems) ,Aerospace engineering ,business - Abstract
Gravitational coupling between the free-falling test masses and the surrounding spacecraft is one of the dominant noise sources for both LISA Pathfinder and LISA. At present, there are no plans to verify any of the self-gravity requirements by test, on the ground. Here, we explore the possibilities of conducting such tests, using a customised torsion balance. We discuss the main sources of systematic and statistical uncertainty present in such a set-up. Our preliminary assessment indicates that the sensitivity is sufficient to carry out meaningful self-gravity tests.
- Published
- 2009