Fundamental Physics and General Relativity with the LARES and LAGEOS satellites

TL;DR

This paper reviews tests of General Relativity using satellites like LAGEOS and Gravity Probe B, introduces the LARES satellite designed for more precise measurements, and reports initial results confirming Einstein's predictions with high accuracy.

Contribution

It presents the first results from the LARES satellite, demonstrating improved accuracy in testing frame-dragging and potential to test String Theories of Chern-Simons type.

Findings

LARES shows the best agreement with General Relativity predictions among satellites.

Initial observations suggest a measurement accuracy of a few percent.

Simulations confirm the potential for highly precise future tests of fundamental physics.

Abstract

Current observations of the universe have strengthened the interest to further test General Relativity and other theories of fundamental physics. After an introduction to the phenomenon of frame-dragging predicted by Einstein's theory of General Relativity, with fundamental astrophysical applications to rotating black holes, we describe the past measurements of frame-dragging obtained by the LAGEOS satellites and by the dedicated Gravity Probe B space mission. We also discuss a test of String Theories of Chern-Simons type that has been carried out using the results of the LAGEOS satellites. We then describe the LARES space experiment. LARES was successfully launched in February 2012 to improve the accuracy of the tests of frame-dragging, it can also improve the test of String Theories. We present the results of the first few months of observations of LARES, its orbital analyses show that it has the best agreement of any other satellite with the test-particle motion predicted by General Relativity. We finally briefly report the accurate studies and the extensive simulations of the LARES space experiment, confirming an accuracy of a few percent in the forthcoming measurement of frame-dragging.