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Authors
Allen, Graham; Buchman, Saps; Byer, Robert; DeBra, Daniel; Sun, Ke-Xun

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.3182/20070625-5-FR-2916.00048

Page Numbers:
277-282

Index Terms
spacecraft autonomy,fibre optic sensing,fibre optic interferometers,space vehicles

Abstract
LISA and the next generation of space-based laser interferometers require gravitational reference sensors (GRS) to provide distance measurements with picometer precision. To meet this goal, we describe a stand-alone GRS structure that has high sensitivity and easy integration with a satellite. The stand-alone GRS integrates balanced optical probing of the proof-mass position in its housing, and provides a correlated reference surface to an independent external interferometer. The use of optical sensing allows for a large gap between the proof-mass and housing, which is the best way to reduce many proof-mass disturbances.

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