Calibration Methods for the LISA Pathfinder Drag‐Free System and Expected Performance

The drag‐free, attitude, and suspension control system (DFACS) and the charge control system are key elements for the test runs to be performed with the LISA Technology Package (LTP). Before science measurements are taken it must be ensured that the DFACS is properly working and/or the DFACS must be optimized, and that the test mass charge is within tolerable limits. To this end a sequence of calibration procedures must be performed. In this paper, the calibration procedures are outlined and the computational tools are described. Two application examples, stiffness and thruster calibration, are explained in more detail and its performance results that are obtained with simulated telemetry data are presented.