We derive a simple formula which gives the general relativistic deflection of a spacecraft, idealized as a point mass, for all values of the asymptotic speed V(infinity) (0< or =V(infinity)< or =1). Using this formula we suggest a new test of general relativity (GR) which can be carried out during a proposed interstellar mission that involves a close pass of the Sun. We show that, with foreseeable improvements in spacecraft tracking sensitivity, the deflection of a spacecraft's trajectory in the gravitational field of the Sun could provide a new test of GR.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.86.2942 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Simulation of the charged particle deflection from the sweeping magnet array in the Lunar Environment heliospheric X-ray imager.
Rev Sci Instrum
December 2024
662, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771, USA.
Article Synopsis
- The Lunar Environment heliospheric X-ray Imager (LEXI) is designed to capture x-ray images from solar wind interactions in Earth's magnetosheath, helping researchers understand energy transfer into Earth's magnetosphere.
- As part of a lunar lander mission landing in Mare Crisium, LEXI features a unique array of 48 neodymium magnets to protect against interference from charged particles while minimizing stray magnetic fields.
- A Runge-Kutta-based simulation model shows that LEXI's deflector array and other particle suppression methods effectively limit proton and electron contamination, ensuring the success of its imaging capabilities and offering insights for similar instruments.
Calibration Method for Relativistic Navigation System Using Parallel Q-Learning Extended Kalman Filter.
Sensors (Basel)
September 2024
China Academy of Space Technology, Beijing 100094, China.
Article Synopsis
- A novel parallel Q-learning extended Kalman filter (PQEKF) is introduced for a relativistic navigation system to help calibrate measurement biases affecting spacecraft position and velocity determination.
- This system relies on precise inter-star angle measurements obtained from high-accuracy star sensors to detect relativistic perturbations such as stellar aberration and gravitational deflection from starlight.
- Numerical simulations demonstrate the PQEKF's effectiveness in a medium Earth orbit environment, achieving positioning accuracy below 300 meters with inter-star angle measurement accuracy around 1 milliarcsecond after calibration.
Monitoring the daily variation of Sun-Earth magnetic fields using galactic cosmic rays.
Innovation (Camb)
November 2024
The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) between the Sun and Earth is an extension of the solar magnetic field carried by the solar wind into interplanetary space. Monitoring variations in the IMF upstream of the Earth would provide very important information for the prediction of space weather effects, such as effects of solar storms and the solar wind, on human activity. In this study, the IMF between the Sun and Earth was measured daily for the first time using a cosmic-ray observatory.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEvaluation of deep space exploration risks and mitigations against radiation and microgravity.
Front Nucl Med
September 2023
Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium.
Ionizing radiation and microgravity are two considerable health risks encountered during deep space exploration. Both have deleterious effects on the human body. On one hand, weightlessness is known to induce a weakening of the immune system, delayed wound healing and musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and sensorimotor deconditioning.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCharacteristic Study of a Typical Satellite Solar Panel under Mechanical Vibrations.
Micromachines (Basel)
July 2024
Shanghai Institute of Satellite Engineering, Shanghai 201109, China.
As the most common energy source of spacecraft, photovoltaic (PV) power generation has become one of the hottest research fields. During the on-orbit operation of spacecraft, the influence of various uncertain factors and the unbalanced inertial force will make the solar PV wing vibrate and degrade its performance. In this study, we investigated the influence of mechanical vibration on the output characteristics of PV array systems.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!