Super-ASTROD: Probing primordial gravitational waves and mapping the outer solar system

TL;DR

Super-ASTROD is a proposed space mission involving multiple spacecraft designed to detect primordial gravitational waves, test fundamental physics, and map the outer solar system through precise optical ranging.

Contribution

This paper introduces the Super-ASTROD mission concept, detailing its scientific objectives, spacecraft configuration, and sensitivity analysis for gravitational wave detection.

Findings

Super-ASTROD can detect gravitational waves in the 0.1 microHz to 1 mHz range.

The mission concept enables testing of fundamental laws of spacetime.

It provides a method for mapping the outer solar system.

Abstract

Super-ASTROD (Super Astrodynamical Space Test of Relativity using Optical Devices or ASTROD III) is a mission concept with 3-5 spacecraft in 5 AU orbits together with an Earth-Sun L1/L2 spacecraft ranging optically with one another to probe primordial gravitational-waves with frequencies 0.1 microHz - 1 mHz, to test fundamental laws of spacetime and to map the outer solar system. In this paper we address to its scientific goals, orbit and payload selection, and sensitivity to gravitational waves.