Precise gravitation measurements on Earth and in space: Tests of the Equivalence Principle

TL;DRAbstract

Experiments to test the Universality of Free Fall (UFF) −whereby, in a gravitational field, all bodies fall with the same acceleration regardless of their mass and composition− have played a major role in the history of experimental gravitation, alongside with experiments to measure the universal constant of gravity G. Indeed, experiments to test the UFF have started even earlier than big G experiments, with Galileo in Pisa already at the end of the 16 century. Newton’s formulation of the law of gravitational attraction has brought the fundamental constant G and its measurement to the limelight of experimental physics. Ever since, the two lines of experiments have proceeded almost in parallel for about 300 years, sharing the difficulties of detecting extremely small forces and very often using similar experimental apparata. The birth of General Relativity, at the beginning of the 20 century, has put experiments on the UFF in a new perspective. The Universality of Free Fall is not only

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