|
|
I.INTRODUCTIONThe SCF_Lab (Satellite/lunar/gnss laser ranging and altimetry Characterization Facility Laboratory) of INFNLNF is designed to cover virtually LRAs (Laser Retroreflector Arrays) of CCRs (Cube Corner Retroreflectors) for missions in the whole solar system, with a modular organization of its instrumentation, two redundant SCF (SCF_Lab Characterization Facilities), and an evolutionary measurement approach, including customization and potentially upgrade on-demand. See http://www.lnf.infn.it/esperimenti/etrusco/ for a general description. The SCF_Lab is dedicated to the characterization and modeling of the space segment of SLR (Satellite Laser Ranging [1] to [4]), LLR (Lunar Laser Ranging, [5] to [12]) and PLRA (Planetary Laser Ranging and Altimetry) for industrial and scientific applications. A description of the different applications in SLR, LLR, PLRA can be found at http://www.lnf.infn.it/conference/laser2012/. The SCF_Lab consists of two OGSE called SCF (Satellite/lunar/gnss laser ranging and altimetry Characterization Facility, property of INFN) and SCF-G (which doubles our metrology capabilities for GNSS applications, property of INFN and of the Italian Space Agency, ASI). Views of the SCF are shown in Fig. 1 and 2. The SCF is very versatile for its large number of measurement ports (side and back), very long horizontal translations and capabilities for LLR and PLRA CCR payloads. The SCF-G is optimized for GNSS. Fig 2.SCF cryostat with GRA-H (GNSS Retroreflector Array of Hollow technology). IR port at right with Ge window. SCF-G cryostat with the “ILRS Standard GRA”. IR port at right with black cover on.  Together with the SCF and SCF-G we developed a new industry-standard thermal-optical-vacuum tests to characterize and model the detailed optical performance and thermal behavior in representative space conditions (SCF-Test, background intellectual property of INFN). The latter is described in detail elsewhere [1][2]. Here we only recall its key features:
The SCF/SCF-G AM0 sun simulators have 45/40cm diameters. They can be used together on the SCF (from the front solar window and from the back port), where they allow for the performance of the full space environmental test of CubeSats of MicroSats capable of modeling both the thermal inputs of Sun and albedo. We also have a vibration- and air-turbulence insensitive WFI measuring instrument to characterize the WFI of CCR during SCF-Tests (in addition to separate, independent and redundant FFDP measurements of the CCRs). This can be done with different laser polarizations (linear and circular). Fig 3.Spectrum of the SCF solar simulator (45 cm diameter) compared to the AM0 standard sun in space.  We developed next-generation laser retroreflectors for: a flat, large LRA for satellite navigation, GRA (GNSS Retroreflector Array); a micro-reflector array for solar system exploration and geodesy, INRRI (Instrument for landing-Roving laser Retroreflectors Investigations); a midsize reflector array for Earth Observation (EO) and exploration, CORA (COsmo-skymed Retroreflector Array); a single, large retroreflector fro LLR, MoonLIGHT (Moon Laser Instrumentation for General relativity High accuracy Tests) for the precision test of General Relativity (GR) ([3], [5] to [12]) and new gravitational physics ([13] to [16]). These are being designed, built and fully characterized at the SCF_Lab. We use LAGEOS (LAser GEOdynamics Satellite) and Apollo LRAs as ILRS reference payloads standards. The SCF-Test of an engineering model of a polar sector of LAGEOS on loan at the SCF_Lab by NASA is described in [1] and [2]. The thermal SCF-Test of a flat-shape 3x3 CCR matrix with LAGEOS/Apollo CCRs and mounting scheme, built by the SCF_Lab, is described in [3] and [4]. II.LLR AND GRAVITATIONAL PHYSICSFor the Moon we propose both MoonLIGHT (shown in Fig. 4) and INRRI. The latter will be described in detail in the section “SOLAR SYSTEM LRA”. In the following we describe MoonLIGHT. Precision GR tests and search for new gravitational physics are carried out with Apollo, Lunokhod LRAs and with MoonLIGHT. Current GR test ([5] to [12]) with LLR include:
Development of new gravitational physics models and set experimental constraints using also laser ranging and laser reflectors in the solar system: III.LRA FOR SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION AND GEODESYWe propose INRRI both for landers and rovers on Moon and Mars. The following description is for Mars.
INRRI and/or appropriately adapted versions of INRRI are suited for deployment on the icy/rocky moons of Jupiter/Saturn: these payloads will be called ECCE-INRRI (Europa/Enceladus Cube Corners for Exploration and Exolife – Instruments for landing/Roving laser Retroreflector Investigations). The conceptual Fig. 6 summarizes the laser tracking of INRRI deployed on the Moon, Mars, Jupiter/Saturn moons or asteroid:
We are also considering of INRRI or its variations for applications to Near Earth Asteroids in particular (NEAs), that is of interest to NASA and the Europe (HORIZON2020 programme). IV.GNSSOur work on GNSS with NASA, ASI, ESA and ISRO is consolidated and reported in [1] [2] [17]. Within the R&D ASI-INFN project dedicated to GNSS and to Galileo in particular, called ETRUSCO-2 (ETRUSCO = Extra Terrestrial laser Ranging to Unified gnss Satellite COnstellations, [2][17]) we designed, built and characterized a standard GRA using the consolidated fused silica retroreflector technology spacequalified first with Apollo LRAs and later with LAGEOS. Some of the criteria used in the GRA design are reported schematically in Fig. 7, right. Some of these are the ones endorsed by ILRS and reported in [1]. The GRA is shown inside the SCF-G in Fig. 7. Fig. 7.GRA (55 uncoated CCR) on the roto-translation, positioning and thermal control system in SCF-G.  The GRA has been characterized with the SCF-G, according to the procedures foreseen by the SCFTest/Revision-ETRUSCO-2, which include investigation of the GRA optical performance and thermal behavior along the GNSS Critical Orbit, under exposure to the solar simulator illumination (Fig. 8, left, and [2] for more details). The GRA optical performance has been assessed in terms of FFDPs (Fig. 9) and WFIs of its CCRs. The thermal behavior has been determined with IR thermometry and contact probes (Fig. 8, right). Fig. 9.FFDP intensity of GRA during GCO test compared to the nominal performance in air and isothermal conditions: the GRA developed by INFN shows on average no performance degradation under SCF-Test.  Fig. 10.FFDP intensity of a single Galileo IOV CCR during the GCO test of 2010 [2], showing on average a performance degradation by ~35%. The red line shows the GPS/GLONASS/GIOVE degradation by ~85% [1].  Spare Galileo IOV flight CCRs are under SCF-Test in Frascati (Fig. 11, left), under a dedicated ESA-INFN contract to be completed by the end of 2014. The 5th Galileo IOV flight-quality LRA (Fig. 11, right is currently in Frascati to be characterized in the framework of a joint ASI-INFN “Premiale” project funded by the Italian Ministry of Research. This project, called “Laser Ranging to Galileo”, is described synthetically in Fig. 12. III.EARTH OBSERVATIONWe are developing a midsize LRA suited for LEO and EO constellations like Cosmo-SkyMed, ESA Sentinels and, in general, for the space segment of Copernicus (European Flagship space program, also part of HORIZON2020). One model is shown in Fig. 4, which is one co-developed and co-studied by INFN and the Italian Ministry of Defence for Cosmo-SkyMed 2nd Generation and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (high-relevance Italy-USA bilateral project AUGUSTUS-2014, Absolute crUst, Glacier and iceberG Georeferencing with Unified Sar, optical, gnss laser observations by ITaly and USa – 2014). CORA and/or appropriately adapted versions of CORA are suited for deployment as Phobos AND DeimOs laser Retroreflector Arrays (PANDORAs). V.NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORKWe work in strong synergism with the ground stations of ILRS, In particular with the Matera Laser Ranging Observatory in Italy, operated by ASI. We collaborate with NASA, ASI, ESA and ISRO. We are submitting proposals to Roscosmos and CNSA. INFN has submitted a proposal for Affiliation to NASA-SSERVI (Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute) the research themes reported in this paper (with SDA as PI). Some activities are carried out with co-funding (mentioned in the previous text) by the Italian Ministries of Research, Defence and Foreign Affairs. Within INFN, this work is carried out in the INFN National Scientific Committees n. 2 (CSN2, including space science) and n. 5 (including space technologies). REFERENCESS. Dell’Agnello,
“Creation of the new industry-standard space test of laser retroreflectors for the GNSS and LAGEOS,”
J. Adv. Space Res., 47 822
–842
(2011) http://ilrs.gsfc.nasa.gov/about/reports/other_publications.html Google Scholar
S. Dell’Agnello,
“ETRUSCO-2, an ASI-INFN Project for the development and SCF-Test of GNSS laser retroreflector arrays,”
31
(2011) http://ilrs.gsfc.nasa.gov/missions/satellite_missions/current_missions/ga01_reflector.html Google Scholar
A. Boni,
“World-first SCF-Test of the NASA-GSFC LAGEOS Sector and Hollow Retroreflector,”
in Proc. 17th International Workshop on Laser Ranging, Bad Kötzting, Germany,
(2011). Google Scholar
A. Bosco,
“Probing Gravity in NEO’s with High-accuracy Laser-ranged Test Masses,”
Int. Jou. Mod. Phys. D, 16
(12°), 2271
–2285 1st From Quantum to Cosmos, Fundamental Physics Research in Space, NASA International Workshop, Warrenton, VA, USA
(2007). Google Scholar
P.L. Bender,
“The Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment,”
Science, 182
(4109), 229
–238
(1973). Google Scholar
I. I. Shapiro, R. D. Reasenberg, J. F. Chandler, R. W. Babcock,
“Measurement of the de Sitter Precession of the Moon: a Relativistic Three-Body Effect,”
Phys. Rev. Lett., 61 2643
(1988). Google Scholar
J. G. Williams, S. G. Turyshev, and D. H. Boggs, Phys. Rev. Lett., 93 261101
(2004). Google Scholar
D. Currie, S. Dell’Agnello, G. Delle Monache,
“A lunar laser ranging retroreflector array for the 21st century,”
Acta Astronaut, 68 667
–680
(2011). Google Scholar
M. Martini et al., MoonLIGHT,
“A USA–Italy lunar laser ranging retroreflector array for the 21st century,”
Planetary and Space Science, 74 276
–282
(2012). Google Scholar
S. Dell’Agnello,
“Probing General Relativity and New Physics with Lunar Laser Ranging,”
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 692 275
–279
(2012). Google Scholar
D. Currie, S. Dell’Agnello, G. Delle Monache, B. Behr, J. G. Williams,
“A lunar laser ranging retroreflector array for the 21st century,”
Nuclear Physics B, 243
–244
(2013). Google Scholar
S. Dell’Agnello,
“Fundamental Physics and Absolute Positioning Metrology with the MAGIA Lunar Orbiter,”
Phase A Study for ASI’s Call for Small Missions, Exp. Astron, 32 19
–35
(2011). Google Scholar
R. March, G. Bellettini, R. Tauraso, S. Dell’Agnello, R.,
“Constraining spacetime torsion with the Moon and Mercury,”
Phys. Rev. D, 83 104008
(2011). Google Scholar
R. March, G. Bellettini, R. Tauraso, S. Dell’Agnello,
“Constraining spacetime torsion with LAGEOS,”
Gen. Relativ. Gravit., 43 3099
–3126
(2011). Google Scholar
O. Bertolami, R. March, J. Paramos,
“Solar system constraints to non-minimally coupled gravity,”
Phys. Rev. D, 88 064019
(2013). Google Scholar
N. Castel-Branco, J. Paramos, R. March,
“Perturbation of the metric around a spherical body from a nonminimal coupling between matter and curvature,”
Phys. Rev. B, 735 25
–32
(2014). Google Scholar
S. Dell’Agnello,
“A unique infrastructure to develop and SCF-Test laser retroreflector arrays for GNSS, EGNOS-V2 and inter-gnss-satellite laser links,”
in ESA proceedings of 4th International Colloquium – Scientific and Fundamental Aspects of the Galileo Programme, Prague Dec.,
(2013). Google Scholar
|
