Pre-Phase A Report - Lisa - Nasa
Pre-Phase A Report - Lisa - Nasa
Pre-Phase A Report - Lisa - Nasa
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Chapter 8<br />
Technology Demonstration in Space<br />
To minimize the cost and risk associated with the full LISA mission it is essential to<br />
have well-understood and proven technology available. A LISA technology demonstration<br />
mission is therefore highly desirable. Such a mission should not just provide a functional<br />
test but should instead aim at testing the key technologies required for LISA to within an<br />
order of magnitude of the final performance in the relevant mHz frequency range.<br />
8.1 ELITE – The European LISA Technology<br />
Demonstration Satellite<br />
8.1.1 Introduction<br />
The proposed European LIsa TEchnology demonstration satellite (ELITE) aimstotest<br />
the key technologies of inertial sensing, drag-free control, and low-frequency laser interferometry<br />
required for LISA.<br />
The single ELITE spacecraft will contain two isolated proof masses which will be used as<br />
references for the drag-free/attitude control system. The proof masses will also serve as<br />
reference mirrors for the laser interferometer package. The interferometer will provide an<br />
independent measurement of relative displacement between the masses, allowing a direct<br />
assessment of the relative acceleration between the masses. Field emission (ion) thrusters<br />
will be the primary actuators for the drag-free/attitude control. An autonomous startracker<br />
plus Sun sensor will be used for coarse attitude control/safe-mode. A cold-gas<br />
system will be used for coarse-attitude control.<br />
The target launch year is 2002 (pending the timely development of the key technologies),<br />
with a nominal mission duration of six months.<br />
Various candidate orbits and launch options are being considered. It is desirable to have<br />
an orbit altitude above 10 000 km in order to avoid the charging of the proof masses<br />
due to interaction with trapped protons in the Van Allen Belts. The baseline choice<br />
is a Geostationary orbit (GEO) which avoids the proton belts completely, but which<br />
necessitates an apogee kick motor for orbit injection. Another option would be to utilise<br />
a shared launch into a suitable orbit without the need for an apogee kick motor. One<br />
Corrected version 2.08 161 3-3-1999 9:33