The UF Torsion Pendulum, a LISA Technology Testbed: Sensing System and Initial Results

The upcoming LISA Pathfinder mission will test the Gravitational Reference Sensor and the Disturbance Reduction System for a future LISA-like space mission. While LISA Pathfinder is expected to show that the technology for LISA exists and meets the LISA requirements, it is likely that LISA Pathfinder will also reveal areas where future improvements can be made and might be necessary. Some of these are already well known (such as the discharging system). After all, the technology for LISA Pathfinder was frozen about 10 years ago or about 30 years before a LISA-like mission will be launched. The case for continued testing and development of the technology is clear. The University of Florida is currently building a torsion pendulum-based test facility to explore new techniques and also to develop a base in the United States for state-of-the-art Gravitational Reference Sensor technologies. (paper)