Tests of general relativity using Starprobe radio metric tracking data
Abstract
The potential of a proposed spacecraft mission, called Starprobe, for testing general relativity and providing information on the interior structure and dynamics of the sun is investigated. Parametric, gravitational perturbation terms are derived which represent relativistic effects and effects due to spatial and temporal variations in the solar potential at a given radial distance. A covariance analysis based on Kalman filtering theory predicts the accuracies with which the free parameters in the perturbation terms can be estimated with radio metric tracking data through the process of trajectory reconstruction. It is concluded that Starprobe can contribute significant information on both the nature of gravitation and the structure and dynamics of the solar interior.
- Publication:
-
AIAA, Aerospace Sciences Meeting
- Pub Date:
- January 1982
- Bibcode:
- 1982aiaa.meetQ....M
- Keywords:
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- Gravitational Effects;
- Radiometers;
- Relativity;
- Solar Gravitation;
- Space Probes;
- Starprobe Mission;
- Covariance;
- Equations Of Motion;
- Kalman Filters;
- Perturbation;
- Solar Interior;
- Solar Oblateness;
- Solar Orbits;
- Solar Physics;
- Standard Deviation;
- Trajectory Analysis;
- Astrophysics