How LISA Pathfinder will "hear" the universe
The
European Space Agency hopes its LISA Pathfinder mission will allow
scientists to observe the universe outside the electromagnetic spectrum
for the first time.
Astronomy: Roen Kelly
LISA
Pathfinder — the first step toward a space-based gravitational wave
detector — launched into orbit last night from Kourou, French Guiana,
but its origin goes back a century.
In 1916, following his revolutionary General Relativity theory, Albert Einstein predicted that extreme objects could create gravitational waves. But no one’s ever found them.
The European Space Agency hopes to change that with LISA and allow astronomers to study the universe for the first time outside the electromagnetic spectrum — letting them “hear” the universe, as the mission managers put it.
The proof-of-concept mission uses lasers to connect several spacecraft into a sensitive interferometer. The flying physics lab packs an optical bench with 22 mirrors and beam splitters.
One laser beam aims at two free-falling test masses, while the other reflects through the bench. The two beam lengths are then compared in search of tiny distance changes.
The spacecraft must first endure seven weeks of orbit-raising maneuvers to reach its operational orbit. It then faces a six-week commissioning period, followed by eight months of technology demonstration.
But if LISA works, it could be the first of a new class of spacecraft.
In 1916, following his revolutionary General Relativity theory, Albert Einstein predicted that extreme objects could create gravitational waves. But no one’s ever found them.
The European Space Agency hopes to change that with LISA and allow astronomers to study the universe for the first time outside the electromagnetic spectrum — letting them “hear” the universe, as the mission managers put it.
The proof-of-concept mission uses lasers to connect several spacecraft into a sensitive interferometer. The flying physics lab packs an optical bench with 22 mirrors and beam splitters.
One laser beam aims at two free-falling test masses, while the other reflects through the bench. The two beam lengths are then compared in search of tiny distance changes.
The spacecraft must first endure seven weeks of orbit-raising maneuvers to reach its operational orbit. It then faces a six-week commissioning period, followed by eight months of technology demonstration.
But if LISA works, it could be the first of a new class of spacecraft.
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