A LATOR mission to measure the non-Euclidean features of a light triangle with sides passing close by the Sun is analyzed as a probe of General Relativity and alternative theories of gravity. It measures second post-Newtonian features of gravity as well as a novel mass parameter of the Sun — the spatial metric’s “gamma mass” — while carrying out the main science goal of measuring basic PPN gamma to a part in 109 precision. By arranging orbits for the two LATOR spacecrafts which have their lines of sight from the near-Earth laser interferometer being about equal and opposite the Sun center during their close passings, transverse knowledge of spacecraft positions are much relaxed and allow elimination of onboard drag free systems.
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Jr, K.L.N. (2008). LATOR's Measured Science Parameters and Mission Configuration. In: Dittus, H., Lammerzahl, C., Turyshev, S.G. (eds) Lasers, Clocks and Drag-Free Control. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, vol 349. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-34377-6_23
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-34377-6_23
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