Preparing for the upcoming LISA Pathfinder space mission
Abstract
LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) Pathfinder is a dedicated technology demonstration mission for planned interferometric space-borne gravitational wave observatories, for example eLISA. The goal of the mission is to test the key technology components for eLISA by measuring the differential acceleration between two test masses in a near-perfect gravitational free-fall inside a single co-orbiting spacecraft with unprecedented accuracy.
To achieve the very lowest level of free-fall (less than 30 fm/s2/√Hz at 1 mHz), a number of disturbances will need to be assessed and reduced. LPF will conduct dedicated experimental campaigns to identify most of these effects one by one.
The launch is scheduled on 2nd December 2015 on an ESA Vega rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.