Highlights An in-orbit calibration of the MICROSCOPE instrument is necessary for the Equivalence Principle test. Calibration procedures enabling the estimation of each limiting parameters have been determined. A software simulator including a model of the instrument, the satellite and its environment has been developed. The calibration procedures have been validated numerically thanks to the simulator.
Abstract The MICROSCOPE space mission aims to test the Equivalence Principle with an accuracy of . The drag-free micro-satellite will orbit around the Earth and embark a differential electrostatic accelerometer including two cylindrical test masses submitted to the same gravitational field and made of different materials. The experience consists in testing the equality of the electrostatic acceleration applied to the masses to maintain them relatively motionless. The accuracy of the measurements exploited for the test of the Equivalence Principle is limited by our a priori knowledge of several physical parameters of the instrument. These parameters are partially estimated on-ground, but with an insufficient accuracy, and an in-orbit calibration is therefore required to correct the measurements. The calibration procedures have been defined and their analytical performances have been evaluated. In addition, a simulator software including the dynamics model of the instrument, the satellite drag-free system and the perturbing environment has been developed to numerically validate the analytical results. After an overall presentation of the MICROSCOPE mission, this paper will describe the calibration procedures and focus on the simulator. Such an in-flight calibration is mandatory for similar space missions taking advantage of a drag-free system.
Validation of the in-flight calibration procedures for the MICROSCOPE space mission
Advances in Space Research ; 52 , 9 ; 1634-1646
2013-07-19
13 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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