Hannover 2013 – scientific programme

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A: Fachverband Atomphysik

A 51: Precision measurements and metrology VI (with Q)

A 51.2: Talk

Friday, March 22, 2013, 14:15–14:30, E 001

Laser ranging for GRACE follow-on — •Daniel Schütze, Gunnar Stede, Vitali Müller, Alexander Görth, Oliver Gerberding, Christoph Mahrdt, Benjamin Sheard, Gerhard Heinzel, and Karsten Danzmann — Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics / Albert Einstein Institute Hanover

The joint NASA/DLR mission GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) successfully collects data about spatial and temporal variations in the gravity field of the earth using satellite-to-satellite tracking via microwave ranging. A GRACE follow-on mission will be launched in 2017. In addition to the conventional microwave ranging system, the GRACE follow-on satellites will also contain a laser ranging instrument to improve the inter-satellite distance measurements. This laser ranging instrument employs heterodyne interferometry with a receiver-transponder principle and phasemeter readout making use of LISA technologies. Essential parts of the laser ranging instrument are a triple mirror assembly to establish an off-axis roundtrip path between the satellites and a steering mirror setup to account for satellite pointing. A laboratory test setup of the GRACE follow-on interferometer is presented with which these key components are tested.