NEXT-GENERATION LASER RETROREFLECTORS FOR GNSS, SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION, GEODESY, GRAVITATIONAL PHYSICS AND EARTH OBSERVATION

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Internatinal Cnference n Space Optics 7-10 Octber 2014 NEXT-GENERATION LASER RETROREFLECTORS FOR GNSS, SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION, GEODESY, GRAVITATIONAL PHYSICS AND EARTH OBSERVATION S.

1 Internatinal Cnference n Space Optics 7-10 Octber 2014 NEXT-GENERATION LASER RETROREFLECTORS FOR GNSS, SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION, GEODESY, GRAVITATIONAL PHYSICS AND EARTH OBSERVATION S. Dell Agnell 1, A. Bni 1, C. Cantne 1, E. Cicci 1, M. Martini 1, G. Patrizi 1, M. Tibuzzi 1, G. Delle Mnache 1, R. Vittri 1,2, G. Bianc 1,3, D. Currie 1,4, N. Intaglietta 1, L. Salvatri 1, C. Lps 1, S. Cntessa 1, L. Prcelli 1, C. Mndaini 1, P. Tuscan 1, M. Maiell 1 1 Natinal Institute fr Nuclear Physics Frascati Natinal Labs, Frascati (Rme) Italy. 2 ASI and Italian Embassy f Italy, Washingtn DC, USA. 3 ASI-Space Gedesy Center, Matera (MT), Italy. 4 University f Maryland at Cllege Park, MD, USA. I. INTRODUCTION The SCF_Lab (Satellite/lunar/gnss laser ranging and altimetry Characterizatin Facility Labratry) f INFN- LNF is designed t cver virtually LRAs (Laser Retrreflectr Arrays) f CCRs (Cube Crner Retrreflectrs) fr missins in the whle slar system, with a mdular rganizatin f its instrumentatin, tw redundant SCF (SCF_Lab Characterizatin Facilities), and an evlutinary measurement apprach, including custmizatin and ptentially upgrade n-demand. See fr a general descriptin. The SCF_Lab is dedicated t the characterizatin and mdeling f the space segment f SLR (Satellite Laser Ranging [1] t [4]), LLR (Lunar Laser Ranging, [5] t [12]) and PLRA (Planetary Laser Ranging and Altimetry) fr industrial and scientific applicatins. A descriptin f the different applicatins in SLR, LLR, PLRA can be fund at The SCF_Lab cnsists f tw OGSE called SCF (Satellite/lunar/gnss laser ranging and altimetry Characterizatin Facility, prperty f INFN) and SCF-G (which dubles ur metrlgy capabilities fr GNSS applicatins, prperty f INFN and f the Italian Space Agency, ASI). Views f the SCF are shwn in Fig. 1 and 2. The SCF is very versatile fr its large number f measurement prts (side and back), very lng hrizntal translatins and capabilities fr LLR and PLRA CCR paylads. The SCF-G is ptimized fr GNSS. Tgether with the SCF and SCF-G we develped a new industry-standard thermal-ptical-vacuum tests t characterize and mdel the detailed ptical perfrmance and thermal behavir in representative space cnditins (SCF-Test, backgrund intellectual prperty f INFN). The latter is described in detail elsewhere [1][2]. Here we nly recall its key features: Labratry-simulated space cnditins. Cncurrent/integrated: Dark/cld/vacuum Tw Sun/Albed AM0 simulatrs and Earth IR simulatr Nn-invasive IR and cntact thermmetry Laser interrgatin and sun perturbatin at varying angles Paylad thermal cntrl, rt-translatins GCO, GNSS Critical Orbit (wrst-case thermal and ptical behavir). Deliverables / Retrreflectr Key Perfrmance Indicatrs (KPIs) Thermal behavir (τ CCR, thermal relaxatin time) with prbes and IR thermmetry Optical respnse 1: Far Field Diffractin Pattern (FFDP) Optical respnse 2: (near-field) Wavefrnt Fizeau Interfergram (WFI). Integrated thermal-ptical simulatins bth f the test data and f rbit cnfiguratins. Fig 1. SCF crystat, IR thermgrams f LAGEOS/Galile CCR under test, IR camera SCF_Lab lg.

2 Internatinal Cnference n Space Optics 7-10 Octber 2014 The SCF/SCF-G AM0 sun simulatrs have 45/40cm diameters. They can be used tgether n the SCF (frm the frnt slar windw and frm the back prt), where they allw fr the perfrmance f the full space envirnmental test f CubeSats f MicrSats capable f mdeling bth the thermal inputs f Sun and albed. We als have a vibratin- and air-turbulence insensitive WFI measuring instrument t characterize the WFI f CCR during SCF-Tests (in additin t separate, independent and redundant FFDP measurements f the CCRs). This can be dne with different laser plarizatins (linear and circular). Fig. 2. SCF crystat with GRA-H (GNSS Retrreflectr Array f Hllw technlgy). IR prt at right with Ge windw. SCF-G crystat with the ILRS Standard GRA. IR prt at right with black cver n. Fig 3. Spectrum f the SCF slar simulatr (45 cm diameter) cmpared t the AM0 standard sun in space. We develped next-generatin laser retrreflectrs fr: a flat, large LRA fr satellite navigatin, GRA (GNSS Retrreflectr Array); a micr-reflectr array fr slar system explratin and gedesy, INRRI (Instrument fr landing-rving laser Retrreflectrs Investigatins); a midsize reflectr array fr Earth Observatin (EO) and explratin, CORA (COsm-skymed Retrreflectr Array); a single, large retrreflectr fr LLR, MnLIGHT (Mn Laser Instrumentatin fr General relativity High accuracy Tests) fr the precisin test f General Relativity (GR) ([3], [5] t [12]) and new gravitatinal physics ([13] t [16]). These are being designed, built and fully characterized at the SCF_Lab. We use LAGEOS (LAser GEOdynamics Satellite) and Apll LRAs as ILRS reference paylads standards. The SCF-Test f an engineering mdel f a plar sectr f LAGEOS n lan at the SCF_Lab by NASA is described in [1] and [2]. The thermal SCF-Test f a flat-shape 3x3 CCR matrix with LAGEOS/Apll CCRs and munting scheme, built by the SCF_Lab, is described in [3] and [4]. II. LLR AND GRAVITATIONAL PHYSICS Fr the Mn we prpse bth MnLIGHT (shwn in Fig. 4) and INRRI. The latter will be described in detail in the sectin SOLAR SYSTEM LRA. In the fllwing we describe MnLIGHT. Precisin GR tests and search fr new gravitatinal physics are carried ut with Apll, Lunkhd LRAs and with MnLIGHT. Current GR test ([5] t [12]) with LLR include: Parametrized Pst-Newtnian parameter beta

Internatinal Cnference n Space Optics 7-10 Octber 2014 Weak Equivalence Principle Strng Equivalence Principle Time Variatin f the Gravitatinal Cnstant Inverse Square Law Yukawa ptential Gedetic

Develpment f new gravitatinal physics mdels and set experimental cnstraints using als laser ranging and laser reflectrs in the slar system: Extensin f General Relativity t include Spacetime Trsin

Explded view (tp left) and phts f 3D-printed plastic cmpnents f MnLIGHT. III. LRA FOR SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION AND GEODESY We prpse INRRI bth fr landers and rvers n Mn and Mars.

It will be laser tracked by Mars rbiters capable f laser ranging and/r laser altimetry, like fr example LOLA (Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter) n LRO (Lunar Recnnaissance Orbiter) and/r laser

3 Internatinal Cnference n Space Optics 7-10 Octber 2014 Weak Equivalence Principle Strng Equivalence Principle Time Variatin f the Gravitatinal Cnstant Inverse Square Law Yukawa ptential Gedetic Precessin. Develpment f new gravitatinal physics mdels and set experimental cnstraints using als laser ranging and laser reflectrs in the slar system: Extensin f General Relativity t include Spacetime Trsin [13][14] Nn-Minimally Cupled (NMC) Gravity, nn minimal cupling between matter and curvature (scalled f 1 (R)+f 2 (R), [15][16]). Fig. 4. Explded view (tp left) and phts f 3D-printed plastic cmpnents f MnLIGHT. III. LRA FOR SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION AND GEODESY We prpse INRRI bth fr landers and rvers n Mn and Mars. The fllwing descriptin is fr Mars. INRRI (shwn in Fig. 5) is a laser retrreflectr micrpaylad f abut 50 gr weight and abut 55 mm x 20 mm size. It will be laser tracked by Mars rbiters capable f laser ranging and/r laser altimetry, like fr example LOLA (Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter) n LRO (Lunar Recnnaissance Orbiter) and/r laser cmmunicatin, like fr example LLCD (Lunar Laser Cmm dem) n LADEE (Lunar Atmsphere and Dust Envirnment Explrer), r OPALS (LADEE = Lunar Atmsphere and Dust Envirnment Explrer) n the ISS. INRRI is develped fr US Mars landers and rvers and n Eurpean landers and rvers with Italian interest and/r invlvement. INRRI has been sized t give the right signal fr LRO In additin: flashes f laser sent by rbiters and retrreflected back by INRRI can als be bserved by ptical cameras n the same rbiters. If INRRI wuld be nw n the Mn at the ples LOLA receiver wuld see it (rdinary laser ranging/altimetry time-f-flight), and s prbably als LROC (digital imaging camera f LRO). Deplying multiple INRRIs n landers and rver will lead ver time t the establishment f the retrreflectr cmpnents f a Mars Gephysics Netwrk. The lcatin f the Airy-0 prime meridian f Mars can be defined very effectively by an INRRI-equipped lander, r rver at EL, laser-lcated by Mars rbiters (perhaps a future, Mars-adapted versin f LOLA, whse mre accurate mapping will

Internatinal Cnference n Space Optics 7-10 Octber 2014 replace MOLA laser altimetry maps). Deplyment f three r mre LRA f the INRRIs n Mars will allw fr triangulatins by rbiters.

gelgical measurements have been made by Rver instruments as reference fr future explratry missins.

4 Internatinal Cnference n Space Optics 7-10 Octber 2014 replace MOLA laser altimetry maps). Deplyment f three r mre LRA f the INRRIs n Mars will allw fr triangulatins by rbiters. INRRI fr Mars Rvers is a new enabling technlgy fr planetary explratin because: it will prvide accurate Rver ge-referencing during its explratin activity, recrding its psitins where significant gelgical measurements have been made by Rver instruments as reference fr future explratry missins. Example f the latter: future sample return missin targeting an INRRI-gereferenced psitin explred/surveyed by the Rver f particularly high interest t NASA/ESA/ASI lng-term gals fr Mars explratin (utstanding astrbilgically relevant sites, ptential bisignature lcatins). The rver/lander with INRRI will als be a passive, wavelength-independent, lng-lived reference pint enabling the perfrmance f full-clumn measurement f trace species in the Mars atmsphere by future space-brne lidars. This will be cmplementary t highly lcalized measurements made by gas sampling techniques n the rver r by laser back-scattering lidar techniques n future rbiters and/r frm the surface. INRRI fr Mars Rvers is a new, wavelength-independent, enabling technlgy t test, validate, and lcally diagnse, n Mars, certain aspects related t transmitter and receiver sub-subsystems fr future laser-cmmunicatin frm Mars rbiters t Earth, an activity that is a lng-term interest fr future Mars missins. This will be als applied t future laser-cmm between Mars rbiters and Mars surface (future Rvers and distributed installatins). INRRI fr Mars will als supprt future technlgy experiments f quantum laser cmmunicatin expliting the plarizatin states f laser phtns, carried ut amng future Mars rbiters and the Mars Rvers. In summary, laser measurements by future rbiters with INRRI are: Time-f-flight laser altimetry Time-f-flight ranging frm space t (Mars) grund: inverse SLR netwrk, which will be an unprecedented activity. In fact, while t SLR/LLR has been dne nly by ILRS grund statins, n rbiting laser paylad has ever ranged t a CCR utside Earth. The LOLA altimeter did nt range t Apll arrays because its receivers wuld have been damaged by t large a laser return. INRRIs n Mn and Mars surfaces need t be specially designed, with apprpriately small ptical crss sectin (and size), in rder t be laser ranged by rbiters. Rver ge-referencing during its explratin activity by laser altimetry and laser ranging Lidar atmspheric trace species detectin Laser-cmmunicatin test and diagnstics. Fig. 5. INRRI INRRI and/r apprpriately adapted versins f INRRI are suited fr deplyment n the icy/rcky mns f Jupiter/Saturn: these paylads will be called ECCE-INRRI (Eurpa/Enceladus Cube Crners fr Explratin and Exlife Instruments fr landing/rving laser Retrreflectr Investigatins). The cnceptual Fig. 6 summarizes the laser tracking f INRRI deplyed n the Mn, Mars, Jupiter/Saturn mns r asterid: Selenlcate Lander/Rver with laser retrreflectr by: Laser Altimetry at nadir (LRO-like) t rvers/landers at ples f mn(s) Laser Ranging / Laser-Cmm t reflectrs anywhere, like LLCD, OPALS and iroc (integrated Radi and Optical Cmmunicatins, under develpment by NASA-GRC). Deply INRRI netwrks; als n far side f Earth s Mn.

Internatinal Cnference n Space Optics 7-10 Octber 2014 We are als cnsidering f INRRI r its variatins fr applicatins t Near Earth Asterids in particular (NEAs), that is f interest t NASA and the Eurpe

Our wrk n GNSS with NASA, ASI, ESA and ISRO is cnslidated and reprted in [1] [2] [17].

built and characterized a standard GRA using the cnslidated fused silica retrreflectr technlgy spacequalified first with Apll LRAs and later with LAGEOS.

5 Internatinal Cnference n Space Optics 7-10 Octber 2014 We are als cnsidering f INRRI r its variatins fr applicatins t Near Earth Asterids in particular (NEAs), that is f interest t NASA and the Eurpe (HORIZON2020 prgramme). IV. GNSS Fig. 6. Graphical sketch f describing cnceptual deplyment f INRRI in the Slar System. Our wrk n GNSS with NASA, ASI, ESA and ISRO is cnslidated and reprted in [1] [2] [17]. Within the R&D ASI-INFN prject dedicated t GNSS and t Galile in particular, called ETRUSCO-2 (ETRUSCO = Extra Terrestrial laser Ranging t Unified gnss Satellite COnstellatins, [2][17]) we designed, built and characterized a standard GRA using the cnslidated fused silica retrreflectr technlgy spacequalified first with Apll LRAs and later with LAGEOS. Sme f the criteria used in the GRA design are reprted schematically in Fig. 7, right. Sme f these are the nes endrsed by ILRS and reprted in [1]. The GRA is shwn inside the SCF-G in Fig. 7. Fig. 7. GRA (55 uncated CCR) n the rt-translatin, psitining and thermal cntrl system in SCF-G. The GRA has been characterized with the SCF-G, accrding t the prcedures freseen by the SCF- Test/Revisin-ETRUSCO-2, which include investigatin f the GRA ptical perfrmance and thermal behavir alng the GNSS Critical Orbit, under expsure t the slar simulatr illuminatin (Fig. 8, left, and [2] fr mre details). The GRA ptical perfrmance has been assessed in terms f FFDPs (Fig. 9) and WFIs f its CCRs. The thermal behavir has been determined with IR thermmetry and cntact prbes (Fig. 8, right). Spare Galile IOV flight CCRs are under SCF-Test in Frascati (Fig. 11, left), under a dedicated ESA-INFN cntract t be cmpleted by the end f The 5 th Galile IOV flight-quality LRA (Fig. 11, right is currently in Frascati t be characterized in the framewrk f a jint ASI-INFN Premiale prject funded by the Italian Ministry f Research. This prject, called Laser Ranging t Galile, is described synthetically in Fig. 12.

Internatinal Cnference n Space Optics 7-10 Octber 2014 Fig. 8.

Right: thermal behavir f GRA during GCO SCF-Test. Fig. 9.

perfrmance in air and isthermal cnditins: the GRA develped by INFN

FFDP intensity f a single Galile IOV CCR during the GCO test f

6 Internatinal Cnference n Space Optics 7-10 Octber 2014 Fig. 8. Left: graphical sketch f GCO test. Right: thermal behavir f GRA during GCO SCF-Test. Fig. 9. FFDP intensity f GRA during GCO test cmpared t the nminal perfrmance in air and isthermal cnditins: the GRA develped by INFN shws n average n perfrmance degradatin under SCF-Test. Fig. 10. FFDP intensity f a single Galile IOV CCR during the GCO test f 2010 [2], shwing n average a perfrmance degradatin by ~35%. The red line shws the GPS/GLONASS/GIOVE degradatin by ~85% [1].

Internatinal Cnference n Space Optics 7-10 Octber 2014 Fig. 11.

Activities and team f prject Laser Ranging t Galile.

Cpernicus (Eurpean Flagship space prgram, als part f HORIZON2020). One mdel is shwn in Fig.

7 Internatinal Cnference n Space Optics 7-10 Octber 2014 Fig. 11. GRA (55 uncated CCR) n the rt-translatin, psitining and thermal cntrl system in SCF-G. III. EARTH OBSERVATION Fig. 11. Activities and team f prject Laser Ranging t Galile. We are develping a midsize LRA suited fr LEO and EO cnstellatins like Csm-SkyMed, ESA Sentinels and, in general, fr the space segment f Cpernicus (Eurpean Flagship space prgram, als part f HORIZON2020). One mdel is shwn in Fig. 4, which is ne c-develped and c-studied by INFN and the Italian Ministry f Defence fr Csm-SkyMed 2 nd Generatin and the Italian Ministry f Freign Affairs (high-relevance Italy-USA bilateral prject AUGUSTUS-2014, Abslute crust, Glacier and iceberg Gereferencing with Unified Sar, ptical, gnss laser bservatins by ITaly and USa 2014). Fig. 4. Mdel f CORA.

8 Internatinal Cnference n Space Optics 7-10 Octber 2014 CORA and/r apprpriately adapted versins f CORA are suited fr deplyment as Phbs AND DeimOs laser Retrreflectr Arrays (PANDORAs). V. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORK We wrk in strng synergism with the grund statins f ILRS, In particular with the Matera Laser Ranging Observatry in Italy, perated by ASI. We cllabrate with NASA, ASI, ESA and ISRO. We are submitting prpsals t Rscsms and CNSA. INFN has submitted a prpsal fr Affiliatin t NASA-SSERVI (Slar System Explratin Research Virtual Institute) the research themes reprted in this paper (with SDA as PI). Sme activities are carried ut with c-funding (mentined in the previus text) by the Italian Ministries f Research, Defence and Freign Affairs. Within INFN, this wrk is carried ut in the INFN Natinal Scientific Cmmittees n. 2 (CSN2, including space science) and n.5 (including space technlgies). REFERENCES [1] S. Dell Agnell et al, Creatin f the new industry-standard space test f laser retrreflectrs fr the GNSS and LAGEOS, J. Adv. Space Res. 47 (2011) See als [2] S. Dell Agnell et al., ETRUSCO-2, an ASI-INFN Prject fr the develpment and SCF-Test f GNSS laser retrreflectr arrays, ESA prceedings f 3 rd Internatinal Cllquium Scientific and Fundamental Aspects f the Galile Prgramme, Cpenhagen, Denmark, Aug. 31 Sep See als: [3] A. Bni et al, Wrld-first SCF-Test f the NASA-GSFC LAGEOS Sectr and Hllw Retrreflectr, in Prc. 17th Internatinal Wrkshp n Laser Ranging, Bad Kötzting, Germany, May [4] A. Bsc et al, Prbing Gravity in NEO s with High-accuracy Laser-ranged Test Masses, Int. Ju. Md. Phys. D, Vl. 16, N. 12 (2007) Presented by S. Dell Agnell at 1 st Frm Quantum t Csms, Fundamental Physics Research in Space, NASA Internatinal Wrkshp, Warrentn, VA, USA (2006) [5] P.L. Bender, et al. The Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment, Science Vl. 182, Issue 4109, /1973. [6] I. I. Shapir, R. D. Reasenberg, J. F. Chandler, R. W. Babcck, Measurement f the de Sitter Precessin f the Mn: a Relativistic Three-Bdy Effect, Phys. Rev. Lett. 61, 2643 (1988). [7] J. G. Williams, S. G. Turyshev, and D. H. Bggs, Phys. Rev. Lett., 93, (2004). [8] D. Currie, S. Dell Agnell, G. Delle Mnache, A lunar laser ranging retrreflectr array fr the 21 st century, Acta Astrnaut. 68 (2011) [9] M. Martini et al., MnLIGHT: A USA Italy lunar laser ranging retrreflectr array fr the 21 st century, Planetary and Space Science 74 (2012) [10] S. Dell Agnell et al., Prbing General Relativity and New Physics with Lunar Laser Ranging, Nuclear Instruments and Methds in Physics Research A 692 (2012) [11] D. Currie, S. Dell Agnell, G. Delle Mnache, B. Behr, J. G. Williams, A lunar laser ranging retrreflectr array fr the 21 st century, Nuclear Physics B (Prc. Suppl.) (2013) [12] S. Dell Agnell et al, Fundamental Physics and Abslute Psitining Metrlgy with the MAGIA Lunar Orbiter, Phase A Study fr ASI s Call fr Small Missins, Exp. Astrn. (2011) 32: [13] R. March, G. Bellettini, R. Tauras, S. Dell Agnell, R., Cnstraining spacetime trsin with the Mn and Mercury, Phys. Rev. D 83, (2011). [14] R. March, G. Bellettini, R. Tauras, S. Dell Agnell, Cnstraining spacetime trsin with LAGEOS, Gen. Relativ. Gravit. (2011) 43: , DOI /s (2011). [15] O. Bertlami, R. March, J. Params, Slar system cnstraints t nn-minimally cupled gravity, Phys. Rev. D 88, (2013). [16] N. Castel-Branc, J. Params, R. March, Perturbatin f the metric arund a spherical bdy frm a nnminimal cupling between matter and curvature, Phys. Rev. B 735 (2014) [17] S. Dell Agnell et al, A unique infrastructure t develp and SCF-Test laser retrreflectr arrays fr GNSS, EGNOS-V2 and inter-gnss-satellite laser links, ESA prceedings f 4 th Internatinal Cllquium Scientific and Fundamental Aspects f the Galile Prgramme, Prague Dec

SCF_LAB: the Satellite/Lunar/GNSS laser ranging and altimetry Characterization Facilities LABoratory

SCF_LAB: the Satellite/Lunar/GNSS laser ranging and altimetry Characterization Facilities LABoratory C. Cantone (1), S. Dell Agnello (1), R. Vittori (3), G. O. Delle Monache (1), A. Boni (1), G. Patrizi