The Case for Space-Based Particle Colliders: Orbital Infrastructure as a Path to Grand Unification Energy Scales

TL;DR

This paper advocates for space-based particle colliders as a feasible approach to reach energy scales necessary for exploring fundamental physics questions beyond current terrestrial capabilities.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of orbital colliders, derives size and energy requirements, and assesses their feasibility with current space technology developments.

Findings

Orbital colliders of radius 10^3-10^5 km can reach PeV-EeV energies.

Space-based colliders benefit from ultra-high vacuum and passive cooling.

Recent orbital infrastructure developments support the feasibility of space colliders.

Abstract

The Standard Model of particle Physics has been validated to extraordinarily high precision by the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Yet it leaves some of the most fundamental questions in Physics unresolved: the nature of dark matter, the hierarchy problem, and the unification of forces. Multiple next-generation terrestrial colliders have been proposed such as the Future Circular Collider (FCC) which will reach centre-of-mass energies of $\approx$100 TeV, yet the energy scales at which hints of Grand Unified Theories (GUTs) and string theory are expected to be observed ($10^{11}-10^{13}$ TeV) remain orders of magnitude beyond the reach of any terrestrial facility. We argue that the path to these energy frontiers inevitably leads to Space. By examining the fundamental scaling law for circular proton colliders, we establish that colliders of radius $10^3-10^5$ km are required to enter the PeV-EeV regime. In addition, Space-based colliders benefit from virtually free ultra-high vacuum ($< 10^{10}$ particles/m$^3$ above 1000 km altitude), passive cryogenic cooling, reduction of geological and political constraints, and perhaps most importantly -- the substantial reduction of the thermodynamic penalty that dominates terrestrial cryogenic power budgets. We survey existing proposals for beyond-Earth colliders, derive order-of-magnitude requirements for an orbital collider constellation, and assess feasibility against current and near-term spacecraft capabilities in formation flying, power generation, and precision attitude control. We conclude that recent developments in orbital infrastructure -- particularly gigawatt-scale orbital power architectures being developed for Space-based data centers -- are converging with the needs of a Space-based mega collider, making serious feasibility studies warranted and promising a more certain path towards the core questions of modern Physics.