![]() ![]() In addition to being a scientific mission, BOOST is also a technology demonstrator. The DLR compact satellite bus is currently under development at the DLR Institute in Bremen as part of the Eu:CROPIS mission (scheduled for launch in 2017). ![]() In a collaboration between ZARM and the Leibniz Universität Hannover, a long-term stable optical resonator on Elegant Breadboard (EBB) level is currently realised. With this setup on Engineering Model (EM) level, a frequency instability of 4*10 -15 at integration times of several thousand seconds was demonstrated. Working with the Centre of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM) at Bremen University, and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, a laser frequency stabilized to a hyperfine transition of molecular iodine was realised and characterised. By using clocks with a 10 -15 frequency instability over an orbital period of approximately 90 minutes, and with integration over 5000 orbits (over a two year period with a 50 percent duty cycle of the mission), the measuring of the KT coefficient will be improved by at least two orders of magnitude compared to the best tests conducted on Earth so far.įor this, BOOST draws on current and successful developments in space-compatible optical frequency references from the department of System Enabling Technologies (SET) at the DLR Institute of Space Systems in Bremen. The beat frequency between the two references contains the scientific signal, and this is what will be measured. With regard to satellite payload, two different optical frequency references are being used for BOOST: an absolute reference based on a molecular iodine, and a length-based frequency reference employing an optical resonator. Many areas of fundamental physics (such as theories that explain the Big Bang, exponential expansion and quantum field theory) are influenced by experimental tests on the validity of special relativity. How do matter and energy, space and time behave under extreme conditions (for example, shortly after the Big Bang)?Īlthough somewhat speculative, placing known theories under scrutiny in this way could open new and exciting avenues for physics to explore.What is the nature of spacetime and which theories can explain this (or not)?.Are there small-scale deviations in the speed of light?.What is symmetry like in spacetime? Up to which accuracy is the special theory of relativity valid?.The research aims to investigate the validity of Einstein's special theory of relativity – with measured deviations, new effects could be discovered within the fundamental theories of physics. It aims to test the foundations of special relativity by conducting a modern Kennedy-Thorndike (KT) experiment, which will investigate the possible dependency of the speed of light on the speed of the source. The BOOST (BOOst Symmetry Test) mission has been proposed as a future DLR small satellite mission. ![]()
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