DocumentCode :
381626
Title :
SpaceTime: A mission with profound science at low cost
Author :
Randolph, Joseph ; Maleki, Lute ; Miyake, R. ; Mettler, E. ; Prestage, John
Author_Institution :
Jet Propulsion Lab.-Caltech, Pasadena, CA, USA
Volume :
1
fYear :
2002
fDate :
2002
Abstract :
This is a MIDEX class mission that will carry a high precision clock to the vicinity of the Sun to measure relativistic effects related to time dilation in the immense gravity field. The results are expected to revolutionize our understanding of fundamental physics by this significant test of Einstein´s Equivalence Principal. The architecture of the mission considers a low cost spacecraft that will be launched on a Solar Probe-like trajectory to the Sun. The simplicity of the instrument accommodation allows a very low cost and lightweight spacecraft configuration that can be launched on a low cost launch vehicle. This combination promises to yield profound new science at the very reasonable cost of a MIDEX mission.
Keywords :
aerospace instrumentation; atomic clocks; attitude control; space vehicle power plants; space vehicles; Einstein´s Equivalence Principal test; MIDEX class mission; Solar Probe-like trajectory; SpaceTime mission; Sun vicinity; atomic clock instrument; attitude control design; gravity field; high precision clock; instrument accommodation; ion trap clocks; low cost launch vehicle; low cost spacecraft; mission architecture; power subsystem design; relativistic effects measurement; telecommunications subsystem design; thermal shield design; time dilation; Clocks; Costs; Gravity; Instruments; Physics; Relativistic effects; Space vehicles; Sun; Testing; Time measurement;
fLanguage :
English
Publisher :
ieee
Conference_Titel :
Aerospace Conference Proceedings, 2002. IEEE
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-7231-X
Type :
conf
DOI :
10.1109/AERO.2002.1036838
Filename :
1036838
Link To Document :
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