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Gravity Gradient sensor technology for future planetary missions ESA ITT AO/1-3829/01/NL/ND. R&D Programme. Moons around Jupiter. Io. Europa. ESTEC September 23 2005. University of Nantes. University of Twente. Programme for planetary exploration. presented by Christophe Sotin.
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Gravity Gradient sensor technology for future planetary missionsESA ITT AO/1-3829/01/NL/ND R&D Programme Moons around Jupiter Io Europa ESTEC September 23 2005 University of Nantes University of Twente
Programme for planetary exploration • presented by Christophe Sotin
Programme for instrument development • Gravity gradiometers based on MEMS and hybrid MEMS orbiter aerial vehicles/balloons (mapping smaller area) • Laser cooled atom interferometry • Multi sensor multi satellite systems formation flying
MEMS-based GG systems • important parameters mass, base line, temperature, quality factor, operating frequency • design of prototype with sensitivity in range mE/√Hz further development necessary
MEMS-based GG systems First generation devices: • accelerometers and gradiometers with moderate sensitivity • fabrication of several devices with different spring approaches • material selection for electrodes • charge trapping studies by C-V and C-t measurements (pull-in voltage, built-in voltage, temperature effects. • electronic readout, force feedback, integration on MEMS-device Second generation devices: • Improvement of first generation devices with respect to sensitivity • Hybrid systems consisting of MEMS plus additional test mass • Study of floating systems • Study of modulation of spring constants • Inductive readout and the use of high Tc devices
MicroNED activities • Several programmes within MicroNed: 250 researchers: 9 knowledge institutes, 23 companies total budget M€ 28 (to be matched) • Microsatellite programme MISAT - development of a new generation of microsatellites, with formation flying abilities - payload development: gravity gradiometers, cooling - possible tests of instruments in space • UT -development of some prototypes (1 PhD student) -further support necessary: Post Doc, technician, clean room costs -further ESA support would be great
Atom interferometry Conclusions • Measurement is performed with the atom cloud in free falling, hence absolute value of gravity determines size, measuring time • In space small sizes and long measuring time are possible • Rb atoms are favorable with respect to cold collisions frequency shift • A sensor for gravity gradient based on atom interferometry could achieve a sensitivity below 1 mE/√Hz using 10s interrogation time. • Sizes: 10 cm diameter vacuum chambers, base line 1m • Mass: some kg
Prospects for atom interferometry Waveguides in atom chips Source: M. Kasevich, CAMOS 2002 http://www.atomchip.uni-hd.de/
Multi sensor multi satellite systems • Programme within Microned - distance sensing (flight configuration) - gravity sensing (accelerometers) large base line systems - magnetic sensing ( GMR, flux gates, high Tc devices) • UT 1 PhD student • Additional support from ESA?
National Platform planetary research • Established on October 29 in 2004 • Strengthen the relation between the Dutch potential for planetary research institutions, universities, industries • Concentration Astrophysics Instruments (search for live, polarimeter, gravity gradiometers) • Focussing on Mars