LaunchesGravity Probe B
USAFSUCCESS
Gravity Probe B
Delta II · Astrophysics
2004Space Launch Complex 2W, Vandenberg
Mission
Gravity Probe B (GP-B) was a satellite-based experiment to test two unverified predictions of general relativity: the geodetic effect and frame-dragging. This was to be accomplished by measuring, very precisely, tiny changes in the direction of spin of four gyroscopes contained in an Earth-orbiting satellite at 650 km (400 mi) altitude, crossing directly over the poles.
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Mission Facts
- Provider
- USAF
- Rocket
- Delta II
- Orbit
- LEO
- Pad
- Space Launch Complex 2W
- NET precision
- Year
- Data source
- LL2