Tag: LISA
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XMM-Newton observes black hole that exhibits strange oscillations
The European Space Agency’s (ESA) XMM-Newton X-ray space telescope recently discovered rapidly fluctuating X-ray signals coming from the edge of supermassive black hole 1ES 1927+654. Located at the center of a nearby galaxy, the black hole’s X-ray signals have given scientists insight into its nature and how matter falls into it. Moreover, XMM-Newton’s observations also…
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LIGO goes to space: ESA to proceed with LISA gravitational wave detector
On Thursday, the European Space Agency’s Science Programme Committee gave the go-ahead to the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, or LISA project. This would mean the construction of the mission’s three spacecraft could begin as early as a year from now. While the interferometer would follow the same basic principles as the ground-based LIGO (Laser Interferometer…
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Pioneering probe for gravitational wave observatory ends mission
Artist’s illustration of the LISA Pathfinder spacecraft. Credit: ESA The European Space Agency’s LISA Pathfinder spacecraft, now sailing around the sun on a trajectory away from Earth, was deactivated Tuesday after a nearly 18-month mission testing previously-untried lasers, vacuum enclosures, exotic gold-platinum cubes and micro-thrusters needed for a trio of gravitational wave observatories set for…
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Farewell LISA – Space Observatory Pathfinder put to sleep
The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) pathfinder mission has come to an end via the final commanding of the spacecraft. The 16 month mission, has provided the tools for a future mission that may take place – probably not until the 2030s – having successfully demonstrated the technology required to operate a space observatory tasked…
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Gravitational wave testbed repurposed as comet dust detector
In the final months of Europe’s LISA Pathfinder mission, scientists have found an unexpected use for the trailblazing testbed for a future gravitational wave observatory by tracking the tiny dings made by microscopic particles that strike the spacecraft in deep space, exploiting the impacts to learn about the population of dust grains cast off by…
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Vega successfully lofts LISA Pathfinder
The European Space Agency’s LISA Pathfinder mission launched atop a Vega rocket Thursday morning, beginning a year-long mission to demonstrate technologies that could be used for future missions to observe gravity waves. The launch – initially delayed 24 hours – took place at 04:04 UTC from the European spaceport at Kourou, French Guiana. Vega Launch:…