2019/06/30 by Ciufolini, Ignazio, Matzner, Richard, Paolozzi, Antonio +5
#FOS: Physical sciences #General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc)
paper · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1907.00395
Satellite laser-ranging is successfully used in space geodesy, geodynamics and Earth sciences; and to test fundamental physics and specific features of General Relativity. We present a confirmation to approximately one part in a billion of the fundamental weak equivalence principle (uniqueness of free fall) in the Earth's gravitational field, obtained with three laser-ranged satellites, at previously untested range and with previously untested materials. The weak equivalence principle is at the foundation of General Relativity and of most gravitational theories.