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Sensor Noise in LISA Pathfinder: In-Flight Performance of the Optical Test Mass Readout

Mendes, L.; Russano, G.; Sanjuan, J. +85 more

We report on the first subpicometer interferometer flown in space. It was part of ESA's Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Pathfinder mission and performed the fundamental measurement of the positional and angular motion of two free-falling test masses. The interferometer worked immediately, stably, and reliably from switch on until the end…

Low-energy electromagnetic processes affecting free-falling test-mass charging for LISA and future space interferometers

Grimani, Catia; Villani, Mattia; Fabi, Michele +1 more

Galactic cosmic rays and solar energetic particles charge gold-platinum, free-falling test masses (TMs) on board interferometers for the detection of gravitational waves in space. The charging process induces spurious forces on the test masses that affect the sensitivity of these instruments mainly below 10^-3 Hz. Geant4 and FLUKA Monte …

In-flight testing of the injection of the LISA Pathfinder test mass into a geodesic

Mendes, L.; Russano, G.; Nofrarias, M. +77 more

LISA Pathfinder is a technology demonstrator space mission, aimed at testing key technologies for detecting gravitational waves in space. The mission is the precursor of LISA, the first space gravitational waves observatory, whose launch is scheduled for 2034. The LISA Pathfinder scientific payload includes two gravitational reference sensors (GRS…

Investigation of the in-flight anomalies of the LISA Pathfinder Test Mass release mechanism

Bortoluzzi, D.; Mendes, J.; Vignotto, D. +1 more

The LISA Pathfinder mission was flown to test some key technologies for the in-flight detection of gravitational waves. The mechanism developed to initialise the science phase, releasing the test mass into a geodesic trajectory, produced unexpected test mass states, requiring dedicated in-flight and on-ground test campaigns. Due to the limited inf…