Studies on the materials of LARES 2 satellite

LARES 2 is an Italian Space Agency (ASI) satellite designed for testing with unprecedented accuracy frame-dragging, a fundamental prediction of general relativity, for other tests of fundamental physics and to contribute to space geodesy with a precision higher than any other satellite presently in orbit. The choice of the material for the body of LARES 2 satellite determines, along with its dimensions, the surface-to-mass ratio minimization, which is the main requirement for the satellite. The paper will report the studies conducted for the fulfillment of the above-mentioned requirement and the tests performed to qualify the materials for construction of the satellite.