Super-ASTROD: Probing primordial gravitational waves and mapping the outer solar system

Understand

Super-ASTROD (Super Astrodynamical Space Test of Relativity using Optical Devices or ASTROD III) is a mission concept with 3-5 spacecraft in 5 AU orbits together with an Earth-Sun L1/L2 spacecraft ranging optically with one another to probe primordial gravitational-waves with frequencies 0.1 microHz - 1 mHz, to test fundamental laws of spacetime and to map the outer solar system.

• In this paper we address to its scientific goals, orbit and payload selection, and sensitivity to gravitational waves.