|
BEACON eSpace at Jet Propulsion Laboratory >
JPL Technical Report Server >
JPL TRS 1992+ >
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/2014/41635
|
| Title: | Laser frequency stabilization for GRACE-II |
| Authors: | Folkner, W. M.
deVine, G.
Klipstein, W. M.
McKenzie, K.
Shaddock, D.
Spero, R.
Thompson, R.
Wuchenich, D.
Yu, N.
Stephens, M.
Leitch, J.
Davis, M.
deCino, J.
Pace, C.
Pierce, R. |
| Keywords: | laser ranging
Earth gravity |
| Issue Date: | 22-Jun-2010 |
| Publisher: | Pasadena, CA : Jet Propulsion Laboratory, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2010. |
| Citation: | Earth Science Technology Forum, Arlington, Virginia, June 22, 2010. |
| Abstract: | The GRACE mission monitors changes in the Earth’s gravity field by measuring changes in the distance between spacecraft induced by that changing field. The distance variation is measured with a microwave ranging system with sub-micron accuracy. The ranging measurement accuracy is limited by the signal-to-noise ratio and by the frequency stability of the microwave signal referenced to an ultra-stable oscillator (USO). For GRACE-2 a laser ranging system is envisioned with accuracy better than the GRACE microwave ranging system. A laser ranging system easily provides an improved signal-to-noise ratio over the microwave system. Laser frequency stability better than the GRACE USO stability has been demonstrated in several laboratories using thermally stabilized optical cavities. We are developing a space-qualifiable optical cavity and associated optics and electronics for use on GRACE-2 to provide a stable frequency reference for the laser ranging system. Two breadboard units have been developed and tested for performance and ability to survive launch and orbit environments. A prototype unit is being designed using lessons learned from tests of the breadboard units. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/2014/41635 |
| Appears in Collections: | JPL TRS 1992+
|
Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
|
