The Agency Space European ( ESA ) satellite into orbit LISA Pathfinder , part of a space mission that seeks to detect waves gravitational and so check one of the aspects of the theory of general relativity Albert Einstein .
“These investigations serve to better understand the world in which we live,” he said CEO of the ESA, Johann-Dietrich Wörner. “Einstein’s theories still will be extremely impressive today,” he said.
Paul MacNamara, the project manager at ESA, expressed his joy because “after many years of development and testing on Earth, finally comes the baptism of fire, which can only take place in space. “
The satellite will gather information to prepare the great European space observatory, which is expected to be ready in 20 years.
LISA Pathfinder will the same aim with the great space observatory in 20 years, but on a much smaller scale . It has two cubes, two kilos of weight each, made of an alloy of gold and platinum, and placed 38 centimeters. A laser beam between the two cubes will, as planned, to detect the possible effect of gravitational waves.
The satellite will be positioned at about 1.5 million kilometers from Earth and February n . There he checked technologies micropropulsion to be used to control these bodies in space, as well as the reliability of the laser measurement.
It will serve also to check the resistance of materials and structures that are to send to the observatory. There is expected to remain operating more than a year.
Gravitational waves are one of the most difficult to measure forces in the universe. Propagate in vacuum at the speed of light and bend space as they do on the surface of a lake ripples caused by a stone that plunges.
As formulated Einstein’s theory of general relativity all accelerated bodies emit these gravitational waves, that the greater will be greater the mass and velocity of the body that cause.
Although never managed to measure them directly, among astrophysicists there is little doubt his existence.
The satellite was launched at 4:04 GMT (11:04, Wednesday Peruvian time) at the base of French Guiana, on board a Vega rocket.
The launch was delayed one day because of technical problems. The activities of the LISA Pathfinder will be monitored from the control center ESOC ESA has in the German town of Darmstadt.
The European agency disbursed “about 430 million euros (more 450 million dollars) “for this ambitious mission that began in 2004, according to Garcia. The participating countries are Germany, Spain, France, Britain, Holland, Italy and Switzerland
Source:. Agencies
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