APSIS - an Artificial Planetary System in Space to probe extra-dimensional gravity and MOND
Abstract
Description
A proposal is made to test Newton's inverse-square law using the perihelion shift of test masses (planets) in free fall within a spacecraft located at the Earth-Sun L2 point. Such an Artificial Planetary System In Space (APSIS) will operate in a drag-free environment with controlled experimental conditions and minimal interference from terrestrial sources of contamination. We demonstrate that such a space experiment can probe the presence of a "hidden" fifth dimension on the scale of a micron, if the perihelion shift of a "planet" can be measured to sub-arc-second accuracy. Some suggestions for spacecraft design are made.
17 pages, revtex, references added. To appear in Special issue of IJMPD
17 pages, revtex, references added. To appear in Special issue of IJMPD