A critical approach to the concept of a polar, low-altitude LARES satellite

TL;DR

This paper critically examines the recent proposal to launch the LARES satellite into a polar, low-altitude orbit for measuring the Lense--Thirring effect, highlighting potential issues and implications.

Contribution

It provides a critical analysis of the feasibility and scientific value of the proposed low-altitude polar LARES mission scenario.

Findings

The scenario involves launching LARES into a polar, low-altitude orbit.

The analysis questions the scientific effectiveness of the proposed orbit for measuring relativistic effects.

Potential technical and observational challenges are identified.

Abstract

According to very recent developments of the LARES mission, which would be devoted to the measurement of the general relativistic Lense--Thirring effect in the gravitational field of the Earth with Satellite Laser Ranging, it seems that the LARES satellite might be finally launched in a polar, low--altitude orbit by means of a relatively low--cost rocket. The observable would be the node only. In this letter we critically analyze this scenario.