Calibration Method of Spacecraft-Inertial Sensor Center-of-Mass Offset for the Taiji Gravitational Wave Detection Mission under Science Mode

TL;DR

This paper introduces a maneuver-free calibration method for spacecraft-inertial sensor CoM offset estimation, enabling continuous, high-precision calibration during science mode for gravitational wave detection missions like Taiji.

Contribution

A novel adaptive Kalman filter-based calibration scheme that estimates CoM offset using only science-mode data, avoiding disruptive spacecraft maneuvers.

Findings

Achieves 0.01-1.5 mm estimation accuracy across axes.

Maintains continuous calibration during nominal science runs.

Supports improved gravitational wave data coherence.

Abstract

Accurately calibrating the center-of-mass (CoM) offset between the spacecraft (SC) and the inertial sensor test mass (TM) is crucial for space-based gravitational-wave (GW) antennas, such as LISA and Taiji. Current calibration methods require additional spacecraft maneuvers that disrupt science data continuity and inter-satellite links, compromising the coherence of gravitational wave signals. Here, we present a maneuver-free calibration scheme that directly estimates the CoM offset vector using only standard science-mode measurements from inertial sensors, interferometers, and differential wavefront sensors. By embedding the CoM offset induced coupling acceleration as an extended state in a model-based adaptive Kalman filter, we achieve estimation accuracy of 0.01-1.5 mm across all axes with a maximum error below 1%. This approach enables continuous, high-precision calibration during nominal observation runs, ensuring continuous and coherent gravitational wave data collection while maintaining the required precision, and also facilitating advanced DFACS functions such as performance evaluations and fault diagnosis. For LISA-like missions, where data continuity is paramount for detecting faint gravitational wave signals, this method will enhance scientific output and reliability.