Perspectives on fundamental cosmology from Low Earth Orbit and the Moon

TL;DR

Future space-based experiments in low Earth orbit and on the Moon, such as radio and gravitational wave interferometers, are poised to significantly advance our understanding of inflation, dark matter, and dark energy.

Contribution

The paper highlights promising mission concepts like lunar radio interferometers and atom interferometers to address key cosmological questions.

Findings

Lunar radio interferometers can probe early universe signals.

Atom interferometers in low Earth orbit can test fundamental physics.

Lunar gravitational wave detectors can detect signals from cosmic events.

Abstract

The next generation of space-based experiments will go hunting for answers to cosmology's key open questions which revolve around inflation, dark matter and dark energy. Low earth orbit and lunar missions within the European Space Agency's Human and Robotic Exploration programme can push our knowledge forward in all of these three fields. A radio interferometer on the Moon, a cold atom interferometer in low earth orbit and a gravitational wave interferometer on the Moon are highlighted as the most fruitful missions to plan and execute in the mid-term.