The LARES Space Experiment: LARES Orbit, Error Analysis and Satellite Structure

The LARES space experiment, by the Italian Space Agency (ASI), is based on the launch of a new laser ranged satellite, called LARES (LAser RElativity Satellite), using the new launch vehicle VEGA (Veicolo Europeo di Generazione. Avanzata, provided by ESA). LARES will have an altitude of about 1,450 km, orbital inclination of about 71. 5∘ and nearly zero eccentricity. The LARES satellite together with the satellites LAGEOS (LAser GEOdynamics Satellite launched by NASA) and LAGEOS 2 (built by ASI and launched by NASA and ASI) and with improved GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment, a NASA/DLR, German Space Agency, mission) Earth’s gravity field models will allow a measurement of the Earth’s gravitomagnetic field and of Lense–Thirring effect with an uncertainty of a few percent. After a description of the LARES experiment and of the orbit of LARES, we present an analysis of the main error sources affecting the measurement of gravitomagnetism; these are due to the uncertainties in the Earth’s gravitational field, and in particular to the Earth’s even zonal harmonics, to the time dependent Earth’s gravitational field, and in particular to \dot{J}6 and to the K 1 tide. We also discuss the effect of particle drag and the error due to the uncertainties in the measurement of the orbital inclination. We finally describe some technical and engineering aspects of the LARES mission, and in particular: the laser ranging technique, the cube corner reflectors and the satellite body. We conclude with a brief discussion of LARES separation system and the selected launcher