SaToR-G: a new experiment for fundamental physics measurements with laser-ranged satellites

Lucchesi D. M., Anselmo L., Bassan M., Lucente M., Magnafico C., Pardini C., Peron R., Pucacco G., Visco M.

SaToR-G  Laser ranged satellites  Fundamental physics  Gravitation 

We present a new experiment called SaToR-G (Satellites Tests of Relativistic Gravity) which mainly concerns on verifying the gravitational interaction beyond the predictions of General Relativity, looking for possible effects connected with new physics, and foreseen by different alternative theories of gravitation. SaToR-G exploits the improvement of the dynamical model of the two LAGEOS and of LARES satellites performed within the previous research program called LAser RAnged Satellites Experiment (LARASE: 2013-2019) and funded by the Italian INFN (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare). Within LARASE we achieved a new measurement of the Lense-Thirring precession with an accuracy better than 2%. To reach the objectives foreseen by SaToR-G, we need to provide a precise orbit determination of a set of laser-ranged satellites, such as the two LAGEOS, LARES, and the forthcoming LARES-2, whose launch is expected before the end of this year. The state-of-the-art regarding the modelling improvements currently reached with LARASE will be presented together with the main objectives of SaToR-G in the fields of relativistic measurements and space geodesy.

Source: 43rd COSPAR Scientific Assembly 2021 (Hybrid), Sydney, Australia, 28/01/2021 - 04/02/2021