Orbit Design for Space Atom-Interferometer AIGSO

Abstract: Atom Interferometric Gravitational-wave (GW) Space Observatory (AIGSO) is a mission concept mainly aimed at the middle-frequency (0.1 Hz - 10 Hz) GW detection. AIGSO proposes to have three spacecraft in linear formation with extension of 10 km. The three spacecraft need to maintain 5 km + 5 km constant arm-length formation. In this study, we address the issue of orbit design and thruster requirement. The acceleration to maintain the formation can be designed to be less than 30 pm/s$^2$ and the thruster requirement is in the 30 nN range. Application to other arm-length-maintaining missions is also discussed.