LISA Pathfinder paves the way for the gravitational-wave observatory LISA

DLR German Aerospace Center
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The end forms a new beginning - LISA Pathfinder paves the way for the gravitational-wave observatory LISA


The last command to LISA Pathfinder was sent at around 8:00 pm Central European Time on 18 July 2017, after 16 months of scientific operation, marking the end of a sophisticated technology demonstration in space. The Space Administration at the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) and the Max Planck Society funded the German contribution to this European Space Agency (ESA) mission. Paving the way for laser interferometry in space and the detection of gravitational-wave, LISA Pathfinder clearly pushed the boundaries of technical feasibility and took an important step toward the planned gravitational-wave observatory LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna). LISA will be designed to 'observe' infinitesimal spacetime ripples – known as gravitational-wave – and hence track down the most energy-rich and powerful astrophysical events in our universe. From 2034, LISA will measure these occurrences using laser interferometry between three satellites, each located at around 2.5 million kilometres from the other two, forming a triangle in space. So far, LISA has only been a mission concept, but now it has been selected by ESA's Science Programme Committee (SPC) as the third large mission (L3) as part of its Cosmic Vision Programme.


Full article with images: http://www.dlr.de/dlr/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-10081/151_read-23351/year-all/#/gallery/27623

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