Comparison of LARES 1 and LARES 2 missions - one year after the launch

Abstract. The LARES 1 and LARES 2 missions were designed to test an intriguing phenomenon predicted by the theory of general relativity: the Lense-Thirring (frame-dragging) effect. In particular, the LARES 2 mission was designed with the goal of reaching an accuracy 10 times better than that obtained with LARES 1, launched 10 years earlier. To reach this demanding goal a special orbit and a specific satellite design was required. Knowledge of the gravitational field of Earth of ever-increasing accuracy, thanks to the Follow-on GRACE space mission together with the spectacular orbital injection accuracy provided by the Avio-ASI-ESA launcher VEGA C, will make possible an even better accuracy after a few years of data analysis. In this paper the two missions are compared along with the results obtained from the LARES 1 mission and those expected from LARES 2.