An experiment to test the equivalence of inertial to gravitational (passive) mass in space offers two main advantages: a signal about a factor of a thousand larger than on Earth and the possibility of exploiting the absence of weight. 'Galileo Galilei' (GG) is a small satellite mission currently under study in Italy with the financial support of ASI (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana). The mission concerns a small, low Earth satellite (similar or equal to 150 kg total mass, similar or equal to 520 km altitude) with two objectives. One is scientific, in the field of fundamental physics, and the other technological within the framework of spacecraft propulsion and drag compensation. The scientific goal is to test the equivalence principle to one part in 10(16), four orders of magnitude better than the best ground results. The technological goal is a full, comprehensive test of PEEP (field emission electric propulsion) thrusters for accurate drag compensation, a technology developed in Europe by the ESA (European Space Agency) which is likely to become an essential component of all space experiments which require measurement of small forces. The GG experiment is based on novel concepts and does not require low temperatures.
'Galileo Galilei' flight experiment on the equivalence principle with field emission electric propulsion
NOBILI, ANNA MARIA;
1996-01-01
Abstract
An experiment to test the equivalence of inertial to gravitational (passive) mass in space offers two main advantages: a signal about a factor of a thousand larger than on Earth and the possibility of exploiting the absence of weight. 'Galileo Galilei' (GG) is a small satellite mission currently under study in Italy with the financial support of ASI (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana). The mission concerns a small, low Earth satellite (similar or equal to 150 kg total mass, similar or equal to 520 km altitude) with two objectives. One is scientific, in the field of fundamental physics, and the other technological within the framework of spacecraft propulsion and drag compensation. The scientific goal is to test the equivalence principle to one part in 10(16), four orders of magnitude better than the best ground results. The technological goal is a full, comprehensive test of PEEP (field emission electric propulsion) thrusters for accurate drag compensation, a technology developed in Europe by the ESA (European Space Agency) which is likely to become an essential component of all space experiments which require measurement of small forces. The GG experiment is based on novel concepts and does not require low temperatures.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
