Gravitational disturbances in drag-free spacecraft

Abstract

The performance of drag-free spacecraft will be ultimately limited by the uncompensated gravitational field and gravity field gradient of the spacecraft structure and payload. We identify sources of disturbance of gravitational origin and we explore a new concept for determining gravitational fields in the vicinity of the proof mass. The benefits of these diagnostic tools for future missions, like ASTROD, are discussed. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.