10 research outputs found
A collision avoidance system for a spaceplane manipulator arm
Part of the activity in the area of collision avoidance related to the Hermes spaceplane is reported. A collision avoidance software system which was defined, developed and implemented in this project is presented. It computes the intersection between the solids representing the arm, the payload, and the objects. It is feasible with respect to the resources available on board, considering its performance
Proposal for an Optical Test of the Einstein Equivalence Principle
The Einstein Equivalence Principle (EEP) underpins all metric theories of
gravity. Its key element is the local position invariance of non-gravitational
experiments, which entails the gravitational red-shift. Precision measurements
of the gravitational red-shift tightly bound violations of the EEP only in the
fermionic sector of the Standard Model, however recent developments of
satellite optical technologies allow for its investigation in the
electromagnetic sector. Proposals exploiting light interferometry traditionally
suffer from the first-order Doppler effect, which dominates the weak
gravitational signal necessary to test the EEP, making them unfeasible. Here,
we propose a novel scheme to test the EEP, which is based on a double
large-distance optical interferometric measurement. By manipulating the
phase-shifts detected at two locations at different gravitational potentials it
is possible to cancel-out the first-order Doppler effect and observe the
gravitational red-shift implied by the EEP. We present the detailed analysis of
the proposal within the post-Newtonian framework and the simulations of the
expected signals obtained by using two realistic satellite orbits. Our proposal
to overcome the first-order Doppler effect in optical EEP tests is feasible
with current technology.Comment: manuscript improve
Wavefront Interferometric Technique for Accurate Spacecraft Relative Attitude Determination
Quantum satellites and tests of relativity
Deployment of quantum technology in space provides opportunities for new types of precision tests of gravity. On the other hand, the operational demands of such technology can make previously unimportant effects practically relevant. We describe a novel optical interferometric red-shift measurement and a measurement scheme designed to witness the possible spin-gravity coupling effects
The ExoMars rover and Pasteur payload Phase A study: an approach to experimental astrobiology
The Aurora programme is the European Space Agency programme of planetary exploration focused primarily on Mars. Although the long-term goals of Aurora are uncertain, the early phases of the Aurora programme are based on a number of robotic explorer missions - the first of these is the ExoMars rover mission currently scheduled for launch in 2013 (originally 2011). The ExoMars rover - developed during a Phase A study - is a 240 kg Mars rover supporting a 40 kg payload (called Pasteur) of scientific instruments specifically designed for astrobiological prospecting to search for evidence of extant or extinct life. In other words, ExoMars represents a new approach to experimental astrobiology in which scientific instruments are robotically deployed at extraterrestrial environments of astrobiological interest. Presented is an outline of the design of the rover, its robotic technology, its instrument complement and aspects of the design decisions made. ExoMars represents a highly challenging mission, both programmatically and technologically. Some comparisons are made with the highly succ