Constraints on LISA Pathfinder’s self-gravity: design requirements, estimates and testing procedures

Armano, M. et al. (2016) Constraints on LISA Pathfinder’s self-gravity: design requirements, estimates and testing procedures. Classical and Quantum Gravity, 33(23), 235015. (doi: 10.1088/0264-9381/33/23/235015)

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Abstract

LISA Pathfinder satellite was launched on 3 December 2015 toward the Sun– Earth first Lagrangian point (L1) where the LISA Technology Package (LTP), which is the main science payload, will be tested. LTP achieves measurements of differential acceleration of free-falling test masses (TMs) with sensitivity below ´ - -- 3 10 m s Hz 14 2 1 2 within the 1–30 mHz frequency band in onedimension. The spacecraft itself is responsible for the dominant differential gravitational field acting on the two TMs. Such a force interaction could contribute a significant amount of noise and thus threaten the achievement of the targeted free-fall level. We prevented this by balancing the gravitational forces to the sub nm s−2 level, guided by a protocol based on measurements of the position and the mass of all parts that constitute the satellite, via finite element calculation tool estimates. In this paper, we will introduce the gravitational balance requirements and design, and then discuss our predictions for the balance that will be achieved in flight.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:Gravitational waves, LISA.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Perreur-Lloyd, Mr Michael and Fitzsimons, Dr Ewan and Killow, Dr Christian and Ward, Professor Henry and Robertson, Dr David
Authors: Armano, M., Audley, H., Auger, G., Baird, J., Binetruy, P., Born, M., Bortoluzzi, D., Brandt, N., Bursi, A., Caleno, M., Cavalleri, A., Cesarini, A., Cruise, M., Danzmann, K., de Deus Silva, M., Desiderio, D., Piersanti, E., Diepholz, I., Dolesi, R., Dunbar, N., Ferraioli, L., Ferroni, V., Fitzsimons, E., Flatscher, R., Freschi, M., Gallegos, J., García Marirrodriga, C., Gerndt, R., Gesa, L., Gibert, F., Giardini, D., Giusteri, R., Grimani, C., Grzymisch, J., Harrison, I., Heinzel, G., Hewitson, M., Hollington, D., Hueller, M., Huesler, J., Inchauspé, H., Jennrich, O., Jetzer, P., Johlander, B., Karnesis, N., Kaune, B., Korsakova, N., Killow, C., Lloro, I., Liu, L., López-Zaragoza, J.P., Maarschalkerweerd, R., Madden, S., Mance, D., Martín, V., Martin-Polo, L., Martino, J., Martin-Porqueras, F., Mateos, I., McNamara, P.W., Mendes, J., Mendes, L., Moroni, A., Nofrarias, M., Paczkowski, S., Perreur-Lloyd, M., Petiteau, A., Pivato, P., Plagnol, E., Prat, P., Ragnit, U., Ramos-Castro, J., Reiche, J., Romera Perez, J.A., Robertson, D., Rozemeijer, H., Rivas, F., Russano, G., Sarra, P., Schleicher, A., Slutsky, J., Sopuerta, C.F., Sumner, T., Texier, D., Thorpe, J.I., Tomlinson, R., Trenkel, C., Vetrugno, D., Vitale, S., Wanner, G., Ward, H., Warren, C., Wass, P.J., Wealthy, D., Weber, W.J., Wittchen, A., Zanoni, C., Ziegler, T., and Zweifel, P.
Subjects:Q Science > QB Astronomy
Q Science > QC Physics
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Research Centre:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy > Institute for Gravitational Research
Research Group:Institute for Gravitational Research
Journal Name:Classical and Quantum Gravity
Journal Abbr.:Class. Quantum Grav
Publisher:IOP Publishing
ISSN:0264-9381
ISSN (Online):1361-6382
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 IOP Publishing Ltd
First Published:First published in Classical and Quantum Gravity 33(23): 235015
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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