On the use of Ajisai and Jason-1 satellites for tests of general relativity

Abstract

In this paper we analyze in detail some aspects of the proposed use of Ajisai and Jason-1, together with the LAGEOS satellites, to measure the general relativistic Lense-Thirring effect in the gravitational field of the Earth. A linear combination of the nodes of such satellites is the proposed observable. The systematic error due to the mismodelling in the uncancelled even zonal harmonics would be ∼ 1% according to the latest present-day CHAMP/GRACE-based Earth gravity models. In regard to the non-gravitational perturbations especially affecting Jason-1, only relatively high-frequency harmonic perturbations should occur: neither semisecular nor secular bias of non-gravitational origin should affect the proposed combination: their maximum impact is evaluated to ∼ 4% over 2 years. Our estimation of the root-sum-square total error is about 4-5% over at least 3 years of data analysis required to average out the uncancelled tidal perturbations.

History of the attempts to measure orbital frame-dragging with artificial satellites

“…combinations and the CHAMP/GRACE models Iorio [163,164] studied the impact of the new CHAMP/GRACE-based Earth gravity models on alternative combinations including the nodes of Ajisai and Jason-1 as well able to remove, in principle,…”

“…To date, his suggestion has not yet been practically implemented by anyone. A SAV calculation [164] extended to = 40 with EIGEN-CG03C [134], EIGEN-CG01C [135], EIGEN-GRACE02S [125] and GGM02S [136] provided an upper bound of 1 0 − 2 6% of the systematic bias due to the even zonals. Iorio [164] concluded that a test with a total accuracy of 4 − 5% over at least 3 years would be possible.…”

Gravitomagnetism and Gravitational Waves

“…The total uncertainty reached is still matter of debate [78,79,80,81,82,83,84] because of the lingering uncertainties in the Earth's multipoles and in how to evaluate their biasing impact; it may be as large as ≈ 20−30% according to conservative evaluations [78,81,82,83,84], while more optimistic views [73,74,76] point towards 10 − 15%. Several authors [85,86,87,88,89] explored the possibility of using other currently orbiting SLR geodetic satellites in addition to LAGEOS and LAGEOS II. A new SLR geodetic satellite, named LARES, should be launched by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) in 2010 to improve the present-day accuracy of the Lense-Thirring tests by combining its node with those of the existing LAGEOS and LAGEOS II [91].…”