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Spacecraft silhouette above laser beam array interrogating a cold atom cloud falling toward a planetary arc

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory2022–2024

Atomic Drag-Free Accelerometer

Miniaturized quantum inertial sensor for spacecraft non-gravitational force measurement

Summary

Systems integration work on a miniaturized atomic interferometer accelerometer for precise orbit determination and planetary gravity mapping.

Challenge

Microgravity breaks Doppler degeneracy in retroreflecting Raman configurations — requires new beam geometry or active compensation.

Contribution

Analyzed degeneracy solutions; designed and tested PCB-scale laser subsystems; contributed to packaging toward 7.7L volume.

Outcome

Contributed to TRL5 validation pathway; work cited in EPJ Quantum Technology (2025).

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Photos

  • Atomic Drag-Free Accelerometer — Lab Work
  • Atomic Drag-Free Accelerometer — Invited Talk
  • Atomic Drag-Free Accelerometer — Lab Work
  • Atomic Drag-Free Accelerometer — Invited Talk
  • Atomic Drag-Free Accelerometer — Lab Work
  • Atomic Drag-Free Accelerometer — Lab Work
  • Atomic Drag-Free Accelerometer — Invited Talk
  • Atomic Drag-Free Accelerometer — Lab Work
  • Atomic Drag-Free Accelerometer — Invited Talk
  • Atomic Drag-Free Accelerometer — Lab Work
  • Atomic Drag-Free Accelerometer — Invited Talk
  • Atomic Drag-Free Accelerometer — Lab Work
  • Atomic Drag-Free Accelerometer — Invited Talk
  • Atomic Drag-Free Accelerometer — Lab Work
  • Atomic Drag-Free Accelerometer — Invited Talk
  • Atomic Drag-Free Accelerometer — Lab Work
  • Atomic Drag-Free Accelerometer — Lab Work
  • Atomic Drag-Free Accelerometer — Lab Work
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