Compact cold atom accelerometer payload for low-Earth orbit atmospheric drag measurement

This paper reports on the development of a quantum accelerometers that can be embedded in small satellites for atmospheric drag measurement missions. We present payload concepts for single and double axis accelerometers with sensitivities up to 2.3x10
^-8
m.s-
²
.Hz
^-1/2
. The effects of rotations on the instrument sensitivity, including contrast loss and Coriolis acceleration, are discussed.