MCLAREN: Miniaturised Cold Atom Gravimeter for Space Applications

该项目旨在开发一种小型冷原子重力仪，并确定开发空间可部署系统的途径。冷原子方法提供的天基高精度重力测量是一种新兴的关键技术，适用于依赖地球观测的一系列市场。此外，重力测量在陆地上有广泛的应用，从地下测量到石油和矿藏的定位。虽然冷原子重力测量的精度水平已经得到证明，但与当前的重力仪相比，最突出的缺点是系统的尺寸重量和功率（SWaP）特性。SWaP要求被视为冷原子重力仪更广泛采用的主要障碍，尽管与现有解决方案相比具有许多优势。该项目汇集了路线，以简化，紧凑和空间部署的子系统，以产生一个紧凑的冷原子重力仪演示。2016年，洪水造成了16亿英镑的损失，准确的洪水预测本可以避免其中一些成本和失去家园的相关压力。地下基础设施的准确位置可以减少交通拥堵，每年花费英国46亿英镑。

The project aims to develop a compact cold atom gravimeter and identify routes to development of a space deployable system. Space based high precision gravimetry as offered by cold atom approaches is an emerging key enabling technology for a range of markets dependent on Earth Observation. Furthermore gravimetry has a broad number of terrestrial applications from underground surveying to locating oil and mineral deposits. Although the levels of precision of cold atom gravimetry have been demonstrated, in comparison to current gravimeters the most prominent drawback is the systems size weight and power (SWaP) characteristics. SWaP requirements are seen as the key roadblock in the wider adoption of cold atom gravimeters, despite having a multitude of advantages over existing solutions. This project brings together routes to miniaturised, compact and space deployable subsystems to yield a compact cold atom gravimeter demonstrator. In 2016 flooding caused £1.6bn of damage, and accurate flood prediction could have avoided some of these costs and associated stress of losing homes. Accurate location of underground infrastructure could reduce traffic congestion that costs the UK £4.6bn per year.