The inertial reference sensor CAESAR for the laser interferometer space antenna mission

Abstract

The interferometer of the LISA mission is realized with V-formations of drag-free spacecraft in heliocentric orbit. Each spacecraft will have at its centre a cubic proof mass made in gold - platinum alloy, that defines one end of the interferometer arms. These masses are also those of the inertial reference sensors used for the drag compensation control of the satellites. The goal of the LISA sensor is to obtain a proof mass free of any parasitic forces, at a level of in the very low frequency domain from up to several . Furthermore, the compensation of the satellite drag must limit its relative motion to less than , thus reducing the disturbances that may be induced as variations of the satellite self-gravity effects.