Key technologies analysis and design of ultra-clean & ultra-stable spacecraft for gravitational wave detection

Abstract

The observation of gravitational wave enables human to explore the origin, formation and evolution of universe governed by the gravitational interaction and the nature of gravity beyond general theory of relativity. The groundbreaking discovery of Gravitational Wave by Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory provides a brand-new observation way. While detecting gravitational wave on ground is limited by noises and test scale, space detection is an optimized alternative to learn rich sources in range of 0.1 mHz–1 Hz. Considering the great significance of space gravitational wave detection, ESA proposed LISA project, CAS also proposed Taiji project. Due to the extremely weak gravitational wave signal and high measurement accuracy requirement, the spaceborne GW observation antenna is accomplished by three spacecrafts constitute isosceles triangle formation intersatellite interferometer. The arm length of the interferometer reaches millions of kilometers between them, and the measurement accuracy reaches pico-meter magnitude. There are many key technologies including pm magnitude space laser interferometer metrology, drag-free control using TM of Gravity Reference Sensor, [Formula: see text]N micro thruster, ultra-clean & ultra-stable spacecraft, etc. This paper focuses on key technologies of the ultra-clean & ultra-stable spacecraft, analyzing the design of mechanical, thermal control and magnetic clean. Moreover, it reports the preliminary results of the technological breakthrough.