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Authors: Slava G. Turyshev (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), Thomas W. Murphy, Jr. (University of California, San Diego), Eric G. Adelberger (University of Washington, Seattle), James Battat (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Douglas Currie (University of Maryland, College Park), William M. Folkner (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), Jens Gundlach (University of Washington, Seattle), Stephen M. Merkowitz (Goddard Space Flight Center), Kenneth L. Nordtvedt (Northwest Analysis), Robert D. Reasenberg (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics), Irwin I. Shapiro (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics), Michael Shao (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), Christopher W. Stubbs (Harvard University), Massimo Tinto (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), James G. Williams (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), Nan Yu (Jet Propulsion Laboratory)

Date: 17 Feb 2009

Abstract: The recent discovery of "dark energy" has challenged Einstein's general theory of relativity as a complete model for our macroscopic universe. From a theoretical view, the challenge is even stronger: general relativity clearly does not extend to the very small, where quantum mechanics holds sway. Fundamental physics models thus require some major revisions. We must explore deeper to both constrain and inspire this needed new physics. In the realm of the solar-system, we can effectively probe for small deviations from the predictions of general relativity: Technology now offers a wide range of opportunities to pursue experiments with accuracies orders of magnitude better than yet achieved. We describe both the relevant theoretical backgrounds and the opportunities for far more accurate solar system experiments.

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