The local dark sector

• DOI: 10.1007/s10686-021-09734-8
• Publication Date: 2021-05-17T17:03:00Z
• Authors: Joel Bergé; Laura Baudis; Philippe Brax; Sheng-Wey Chiow; Bruno Christophe; Olivier Doré; Pierre Fayet; Aurélien Hees; Philippe Jetzer; Claus Lämmerzahl; Meike List; Gilles Métris; Martin Pernot-Borràs; Justin Read; Serge Reynaud; Jason Rhodes; Benny Rievers; Manuel Rodrigues; Timothy Sumner; Jean-Philippe Uzan; Nan Yu
• Keywords: Ion thruster

We speculate on the development and availability of new innovative propulsion techniques in 2040s, that will allow us to fly a spacecraft outside Solar System (at 150 AU more) reasonable amount time, order directly probe our (gravitational) neighborhood answer pressing questions regarding dark sector (dark energy matter). identify two closely related main science goals, as well secondary objectives could be fulfilled by mission dedicated probing local sector: (i) begin exploration gravitation's low-acceleration regime with man-made (ii) improve knowledge matter baryon densities. Those can answered measuring gravitational potential an atomic clock on-board outbound orbit, comparing spacecraft's trajectory predicted General Relativity through combination ranging data in-situ measurement (and correction) non-gravitational accelerations accelerometer. Despite wealth experiments getting online near future, bring about sector, it is very unlikely those closed next decades. More importantly, likely even more urgent than currently them. Tracking carrying accelerometer leaves may easiest fastest way environment.