SAGE: using CubeSats for Gravitational Wave Detection

TL;DR

SAGE proposes a CubeSat-based space interferometer for gravitational wave detection near 1 Hz, leveraging a Sagnac design with innovative compact technology to achieve high sensitivity in a cost-effective manner.

Contribution

This work introduces a novel CubeSat constellation design for gravitational wave detection using a Sagnac interferometer with unique insensitivity to position errors.

Findings

Detects gravitational waves with strains down to 10^-21

Operates effectively with minimal position error sensitivity

Uses compact fibered technology for optical components

Abstract

SAGE (SagnAc interferometer for Gravitational wavE) is a fast track project for a space observatory based on multiple 12-U CubeSats in geostationary orbit. The objective of this project is to create a Sagnac interferometer with 73000 km circular arms. The geometry of the interferometer makes it especially sensitive to circularly polarized gravitational waves at frequency close to 1 Hz. The nature of the Sagnac measurement makes it almost insensitive to position error, allowing spacecrafts in ballistic trajectory. The light source and recombination units of the interferometer are based on compact fibered technologies, without the need of an optical bench. The main limitation would come from non-gravitational acceleration of the spacecraft. However, conditionally upon our ability to post-process the effect of solar wind, solar pressure and thermal expansion, we would detect gravitational waves with strains down to 10^-21 over a few days of observation.