A mission to test the Pioneer anomaly: estimating the main systematic effects

TL;DR

This paper discusses a mission concept involving laser-ranging to probing spheres to test the Pioneer anomaly and estimate key systematic effects affecting the measurements.

Contribution

It introduces a novel mission approach using probing spheres and laser ranging to accurately estimate systematic effects related to the Pioneer anomaly.

Findings

Identification of main systematic effects impacting Pioneer anomaly measurements

Methodology for using probing spheres to isolate systematic errors

Potential for improved accuracy in future Pioneer anomaly tests

Abstract

We estimate the main systematic effects relevant in a mission to test and characterize the Pioneer anomaly through the flight formation concept, by launching probing spheres from a mother spacecraft and tracking their motion via laser ranging.