STEP will advance the testing of the Equivalence Principle from several parts in 1013 to 1 part in 1018. Whether it confirms Equivalence five to six orders of magnitude more precisely than known today or discovers a violation, it will be a landmark experiment in Fundamental Physics, with consequences extending from gravitation theory to cosmology to theories of the evolution of the Universe. It will probe a large and otherwise inaccessible domain in the parameter space of new interactions. A null result would remain for many years a severe constraint on new theories. A positive result would constitute the discovery of a new force of Nature.
The STEP (Space Technology Experiment Program) mission was a joint effort between NASA and the Department of Defense to develop and test new technologies for space exploration. Its purpose was to advance our understanding of key technologies and their potential applications in space missions.
The STEP mission was launched in 1996 and successfully completed its primary mission objectives. However, due to budget cuts and shifting priorities, the program was discontinued in 2001.
The STEP mission tested a variety of technologies, including advanced propulsion systems, new materials for spacecraft construction, and autonomous navigation and control systems.
The STEP mission helped to advance our understanding of key technologies and their potential applications in space missions. Some of the major findings included the successful testing of a new ion propulsion system, the development of lightweight and durable materials for spacecraft, and advancements in autonomous navigation and control systems.
Many of the technologies tested during the STEP mission are still being further developed and incorporated into current and future space missions. For example, the ion propulsion system has been used in several spacecraft, including NASA's Dawn mission to the asteroid belt. The lightweight and durable materials are also being used in various space missions, and the advancements in autonomous navigation and control systems continue to be incorporated into new spacecraft designs.