On Possible Measurement of Gravitational Interaction Parameters on Board a Satellite

Abstract

The recently suggested SEE (Satellite Energy Exchange) method of measuring the gravitational constant $G$, possible equivalence principle violation (measured by the Eötvös parameter $η$) and the hypothetic 5th force parameters $α$ and $λ$ on board a drag-free Earth's satellite is discussed and further developed. Various particle trajectories near a heavy ball are numerically simulated. Some basic sources of error are analysed. The $G$ measurement procedure is modelled by noise insertion to a ``true'' trajectory. It is concluded that the present knowledge of $G, α$ (for $λ\geq 1$ m) and $η$ can be improved by at least two orders of magnitude.