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Figure 6.1: A drawing for the measurement concept chosen of the Deep Space Gravity Probe
(from [106], drawing courtesy of Alexandre D. Szames). The formation-flying approach relies on
actively controlled spacecraft and a set of passive test-masses. The main objective is to accurately
determine the heliocentric motion of the test-mass by utilizing the 2-step tracking needed for
common-mode noise rejection purposes. The trajectory of the spacecraft will be determined using
standard methods of radiometric tracking, while the motion of the test mass relative to the spacecraft
will be established by laser ranging technology. The test mass is at an environmentally quiet
distance from the craft, |