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Space-based Tests of Relativistic Gravitation

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Abstract

Since its initial publication, Einstein’s general theory of relativity had been tested to a very high precision and presently is considered to be the standard theory of gravitation, especially when the phenomena in astrophysics, cosmology, and fundamental physics are concerned. As such, this theory has many practically important applications including spacecraft navigation, relativistic geodesy, time transfer, etc. Here we discuss the foundations of general relativity, present its current empirical status, and highlight the need for the new generation of high-accuracy tests. We present some space-based gravitational experiments and discuss anticipated advances in our understanding of the fundamental laws of nature.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The notational conventions employed here are as follows: Letters from the second half of the Latin alphabet, \(m, n,\)…\(=0\)…\(3\) denote space-time indices. Greek letters \(\alpha , \beta ,\)…\(=1\)…\(3\) denote spatial indices. The flat Minkowski space-time metic is \(\gamma_{mn}={\rm diag}(+1,-1,-1,-1)\). We rely on the Einstein summation convention with indices being lowered or raised using \(\gamma_{mn}\).

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Acknowledgements

The work described here was carried out at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

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  1. Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, 91109-0899, Pasadena, CA, USA

    Vyacheslav G. Turyshev

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  1. Vyacheslav G. Turyshev
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Correspondence to Vyacheslav G. Turyshev .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali, Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Roma, Italy

    Roberto Peron

  2. Dipartimento di Fisica G. Occhialini, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy

    Monica Colpi

  3. Dipartimento di Scienza e Alta Tecnologia, Università degli Studi dell’Insubria, Como, Italy

    Vittorio Gorini

  4. Dipartimento di Scienza e Alta Tecnologia, Università degli Studi dell’Insubria, Como, Italy

    Ugo Moschella

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Turyshev, V. (2016). Space-based Tests of Relativistic Gravitation. In: Peron, R., Colpi, M., Gorini, V., Moschella, U. (eds) Gravity: Where Do We Stand?. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20224-2_6

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