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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 April 2016
The Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) is a 10-m Michelson space-based optical interferometer designed for precision astrometry (4μas, 3μas/yr) with better accuracy hoped for over a narrow field of view. It is intended to search for planets and investigate a number of problems in Galactic and extra-galactic astronomy.
The accuracy and stability of SIM’s celestial reference frame is subject to degradation over the 5-year mission from the reflex motion induced by massive companions of the objects used to construct the celestial reference frame. We present the results of simulations which show the sensitivity of reference frame accuracy to companions as a function of mass and period. We assume that pre-launch ground surveys will eliminate all objects with RMS radial velocity > 10 m/s. We further assume that the standard astrometric parameters of position, parallax, and proper motion plus acceleration terms in right ascension and declination will be allowed to absorb reflex motion.