Platform and environment requirements of a satellite quantum test of the weak equivalence principle at the 10−17 level

The space-time explorer and quantum equivalence principle space test (STE-QUEST) recently proposed, aims at performing a precision test of the weak equivalence principle (WEP), a fundamental cornerstone of general relativity. Taking advantage of the ideal operation conditions for high-precision quantum sensing on board of a satellite, it aims to detect possible violations of WEP down to the 10−17 level. This level of performance leads to stringent environmental requirements on the control of the spacecraft. We assume an operation of a dual-species atom interferometer of rubidium and potassium isotopes in a double-diffraction configuration and derive the constraints to achieve an Eötvös parameter η=10−17 in statistical and systematic uncertainties. We show that technical heritage of previous satellite missions, such as MICROSCOPE, satisfies the platform requirements to achieve the proposed objectives underlying the technical readiness of the STE-QUEST mission proposal.