Possible experiment with two counter-orbiting drag-free satellites to obtain a new test of Einstein's general theory of relativity and improved measurements in geodesy

Journal Article · Mon Mar 22 00:00:00 EST 1976 · Phys. Rev. Lett., v. 36, no. 12, pp. 629-632

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.36.629· OSTI ID:4026832

Van Patten, R A; Everitt, C W.F.

In 1918, Lense and Thirring calculated that a moon orbiting a rotating planet would experience a nodal dragging effect due to general relativity. We describe an experiment to measure this effect to 1% with two counter-orbiting drag-free satellites in polar earth orbit. In addition to tracking data from existing ground stations, satellite-to-satellite Doppler ranging data are taken near the poles. New geophysical information is inherent in the polar data. (AIP)

• Research Organization: Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics and W. W. Hansen Laboratories of Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-33-030845
• OSTI ID: 4026832
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. Lett., v. 36, no. 12, pp. 629-632, Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 30-JUN-76
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

N56600* -Physics (Astrophysics & Cosmology)-Cosmology
640106* -Physics Research-Astrophysics & Cosmology- Cosmology
*GENERAL RELATIVITY THEORY
GEODESY
GRAVITATION
METRICS
ORBITS
SATELLITES