The Satellite Test of the Equivalence Principle (STEP) is a proposed (as of 2014[update][1]) space science experiment to test the equivalence principle of general relativity. The experiment is thought to be sensitive enough to test Einstein's theory of gravity and other theories.
The basic configuration is that of a drag-free satellite where an outer shell around an inner test mass is used to block solar wind, atmospheric drag, the Earth's magnetic field and other effects which might disturb the motion of a freely-falling inner object. It is designed for an expected sensitivity of one part in 1018.[2]
"Research on the STEP accelerometers began in 1971 at Stanford University, and has been supported since 1977 with NASA funding. STEP has been studied twice by ESA at the Phase-A level and has led two other space agencies (CNES and ASI) to study projects aimed at testing the Equivalence Principle in space. STEP is currently undergoing a Phase A study for NASA's office of Space Science Small Explorer program."[3]
step, satellite, satellite, test, equivalence, principle, step, proposed, 2014, update, space, science, experiment, test, equivalence, principle, general, relativity, experiment, thought, sensitive, enough, test, einstein, theory, gravity, other, theories, bas. The Satellite Test of the Equivalence Principle STEP is a proposed as of 2014 update 1 space science experiment to test the equivalence principle of general relativity The experiment is thought to be sensitive enough to test Einstein s theory of gravity and other theories The basic configuration is that of a drag free satellite where an outer shell around an inner test mass is used to block solar wind atmospheric drag the Earth s magnetic field and other effects which might disturb the motion of a freely falling inner object It is designed for an expected sensitivity of one part in 1018 2 Research on the STEP accelerometers began in 1971 at Stanford University and has been supported since 1977 with NASA funding STEP has been studied twice by ESA at the Phase A level and has led two other space agencies CNES and ASI to study projects aimed at testing the Equivalence Principle in space STEP is currently undergoing a Phase A study for NASA s office of Space Science Small Explorer program 3 See also editMICROSCOPE satellite a similar experiment conducted by CNESReferences edit Overduin James Everitt Francis Worden Paul Mester John 2012 09 21 STEP and fundamental physics Classical and Quantum Gravity 29 18 184012 arXiv 1401 4784 Bibcode 2012CQGra 29r4012O doi 10 1088 0264 9381 29 18 184012 ISSN 0264 9381 S2CID 119243523 Testing Equivalence to one part in 10 18 STEPExternal links editStanford Page STEP Satellite Test of the Equivalence Principle Benjamin Lange Experimental Gravitational Physics Using Drag Free Satellites 2001 nbsp This article about one or more spacecraft of the United States is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title STEP satellite amp oldid 1178206510, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
