Monte Carlo simulations of the LARES space experiment to test General Relativity and fundamental physics

Ciufolini, Ignazio; Monge, Beatriz Moreno; Paolozzi, Antonio; Koenig, Rolf; Sindoni, Giampiero; Michalak, Grzegorz; Pavlis, E. C.

doi:10.1088/0264-9381/30/23/235009

Cited by 37 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Those tripled errors were then propagated to the nodes of the three satellites of the LARES experiment providing a systematic error of about 0.04 in frame-dragging caused by the uncertainties in the knowledge of the Earth's gravity field even zonal harmonics. Previous error analyses [5], [18]- [27] have shown that the systematic errors associated with all the other perturbations, i.e. tides, non-gravitational perturbations and other unidentified effects, amount to about 0.03.…”

Section: Lares Frame-dragging Missionmentioning

confidence: 94%

LARES satellite thermal forces and a test of general relativity

Matzner¹,

Nguyen²,

Brooks³

et al. 2016

2016 IEEE Metrology for Aerospace (MetroAeroSpace)

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Abstract-We summarize a laser-ranged satellite test of frame dragging, a prediction of General Relativity, and then concentrate on the estimate of thermal thrust, an important perturbation affecting the accuracy of the test. The frame dragging study analysed 3.5 years of data from the LARES satellite and a longer period of time for the two LAGEOS satellites. Using the gravity field GGM05S obtained via the Grace mission, which measures the Earth's gravitational field, the prediction of General Relativity is confirmed with a 1-σ formal error of 0.002, and a systematic error of 0.05. The result for the value of the frame dragging around the Earth is µ = 0.994, compared to µ = 1 predicted by General Relativity. The thermal force model assumes heat flow from the sun (visual) and from Earth (IR) to the satellite core and to the fused silica reflectors on the satellite, and reradiation into space. For a roughly current epoch (days 1460 − 1580 after launch) we calculate an average along track drag of −0.50pm/sec 2 .I. DRAGGING OF INERTIAL FRAMES In 1918, Lense and Thirring [1] described the framedragging of an orbiting body, in the limiting case valid around Earth of slow rotation of the central body and weak gravitational field:Ω = 2J/(a 3 (1 − e 2 ) 3/2 ). Here Ω, a and e are the longitude of the ascending node, the semimajor axis and the eccentricity of the orbiting body, while J is the angular momentum of the central body. We recall that the orbital plane intersects the equator in two nodes, one of which, the ascending node, is crossed by the orbiting body from southern to northern hemisphere [2]. The Earth satisfies the conditions of "weak gravitational field" and "slowly rotating", so this formula describes the behavior of Earth satellites. This Eastward precession has been observed and measured using the two LAGEOS satellites [3]- [7] and a model of the gravitational field of the Earth provided by the GRACE mission [8], [9], with improving errors to about 10%. (Satellite Laser Ranging allows range measurement with an accuracy that can reach a few millimeters [10].) The LAGEOS tests of frame-dragging were used to set limits on some string theories equivalent to Chern-Simons gravity [11]. Another satellite experiment, Gravity Probe B (GPB), was put into orbit in 2004 and verified frame dragging (via a related gyroscope precession effect) with approximately 20% accuracy [12]. Very recently, preliminary analysis of the LARES laser ranged satellite along with the two LAGEOS satellites and latest GRACE results, produced a frame dragging consistent with that predicted by GR, with estimated 5% errors [13]. We summarize the results of that analysis below and then go on to model thermally induced forces on LARES. LARES is a satellite with a spherical tungsten alloy core which carries 92 cube corner reflectors (CCRs) for laser ranging. II. LARES FRAME-DRAGGING MISSIONThe node shift of an orbiting body is dominated by the classical Newtonian effect due to the axially symmetric components of deviations of the gravity field ...

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Section: Lares Frame-dragging Missionmentioning

confidence: 94%

LARES satellite thermal forces and a test of general relativity

Matzner¹,

Nguyen²,

Brooks³

et al. 2016

2016 IEEE Metrology for Aerospace (MetroAeroSpace)

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“…Here, I lists the major issues which, in my opinion, affect [15] In the sensitivity analysis leading to the choice of the most potentially hazardous parameters to be considered, Ciufolini et al [15] consider only the first five even zonals, despite it was pointed out in several papers that also those of degree as high as ℓ $ 50-70 may be of relevance because of the lower altitude of LARES with respect to the Lageos satellites. Ciufolini et al [15] base their choice on previous papers of them in which this issue was treated insufficiently.…”

Section: My Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ciufolini et al [17] analyzed the first 105 days of LARES; a critical analysis of their results is offered in [67]. Recently, Ciufolini et al [15] performed a set of Monte Carlo simulations to strengthen their conclusions: they are the subject of the following discussion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On Monte Carlo simulations of the LAser RElativity Satellite experiment

Renzetti¹

2015

Acta Astronautica

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“…Moreover, these measurements have confirmed the frame dragging effect, but they have not yet reached the full resolution that would put GR and other fundamental theories to a test 4 . In order to provide tests of fundamental physics (GR, Horava-Lifshitz or Chern-Simons theories of gravity, etc.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

GINGER: An array of ring lasers for testing fundamental physics

Ortolan¹,

Belfi²,

Bosi³

et al. 2017

The Fourteenth Marcel Grossmann Meeting

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Ring laser (RL) gyroscopes are, at present, the most precise sensors of absolute angular velocity. In the near future, their application is foreseen to provide ground based tests of General Relativity. We have recently proposed a tri-axial array of RLs that can reach the sensitivity, accuracy, and long term stability required to measure the inertial frame dragging induced by the rotating Earth, as predicted by General Relativity. The effect, also known Lense-Thirring effect, amounts for the Earth to 1 part in 10 9 of its rotation rate, thus requiring an unprecedented sensitivity and accuracy of experimental apparatus. An array of at least 3 RLs would allow us to measure not only the rotation rate, i.e. the angular velocity modulus, but also the angular velocity vector. In this way, having at disposal the time series of the daily estimate of Earth rotation vector from the International Earth Rotation and Reference System Service, it would be possible to isolate the Geodetic and Lense-Thirring contributions. Our proposal GINGER (Gyroscopes IN GEneral Relativity) is intended to push the present knowledge of RL physics and technology to achieve an accuracy in the estimation of the Earth rotation rate of 1 part in 10 9 . In the experimental apparatus we have to account for systematic errors resulting from non linear dynamics of the active laser medium, and changes of the optical cavity geometry. The redundancy of the array, e.g. the addition of a ring almost parallel to the Earth rotation axis, should allow for the reduction of such errors at the level of the geometry control. In this contribution we describe the intermediate prototypes GP2 and GEMS (GINGER External Metrology System) devoted to control the geometrical fluctuations of a RL cavity and the 3D geometry of the RL array (dihedral angles among RLs), respectively.

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Monte Carlo simulations of the LARES space experiment to test General Relativity and fundamental physics

Cited by 37 publications

References 32 publications

LARES satellite thermal forces and a test of general relativity

LARES satellite thermal forces and a test of general relativity

On Monte Carlo simulations of the LAser RElativity Satellite experiment

GINGER: An array of ring lasers for testing fundamental physics

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