Time Delay Predictions in a Modified Gravity Theory

TL;DR

This paper investigates time delay effects predicted by a modified gravity theory with a fifth force, fitting data from Pioneer 10/11 and assessing detectability with spacecraft like Cassini, Neptune, and Pluto.

Contribution

It introduces a relativistic modified gravity model including a fifth force and predicts measurable time delay corrections to general relativity.

Findings

Time delay corrections are consistent with Cassini data.

Predicted corrections could be detected for spacecraft near Neptune and Pluto.

The model explains Pioneer anomaly data within a relativistic framework.

Abstract

The time delay effect for planets and spacecraft is obtained from a fully relativistic modified gravity theory including a fifth force skew symmetric field by fitting to the Pioneer 10/11 anomalous acceleration data. A possible detection of the predicted time delay corrections to general relativity for the outer planets and future spacecraft missions is considered. The time delay correction to GR predicted by the modified gravity is consistent with the observational limit of the Doppler tracking measurement reported by the Cassini spacecraft on its way to Saturn, and the correction increases to a value that could be measured for a spacecraft approaching Neptune and Pluto.