Some 40 years in the making, NASA' s historic Gravity Probe B (GP-B) mission is scheduled to launch aboard a Delta II in 2003. GP-B will test two extraordinary predictions from Einstein's General Relativity: geodetic precession and the Lense-Thirring effect (frame-dragging). Employing tiny, ultra-precise gyroscopes, GP-B features a measurement accuracy of 0.5 milli-arc-seconds per year. The extraordinary measurement precision is made possible by a host of breakthrough technologies, including electro-statically suspended, super-conducting quartz gyroscopes; virtual elimination of magnetic flux; a solid quartz star tracking telescope; helium microthrusters for drag-free control of the spacecraft; and a 2400 liter superfluid helium dewar. This paper will provide an overview of the science, key technologies, flight hardware, integration and test, and flight operations of the GP-B space vehicle. It will also examine some of the technical management challenges of a large-scale, technology-driven, Principal Investigator-led mission.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Gravity Probe B: Testing Einstein with Gyroscopes


    Contributors:
    Geveden, Rex D. (author) / May, Todd (author)

    Conference:

    AIAA Space Conference and Exposition ; 2003 ; Long Beach, CA, United States


    Publication date :

    2003-01-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Gravity Probe B: Testing Einstein with Gyroscopes

    Geveden, Rex D. / May, Todd | NTRS | 2003




    Gyroscopes and Charge Control for the Relativity Mission Gravity Probe B

    Buchman, S. / Everitt, C. W. F. / Parkinson, B. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2000


    Gyroscopes and charge control for the Relativity Mission Gravity Probe B

    Buchman, Saps / Everitt, C.W.F. / Parkinson, Brad et al. | Elsevier | 2000

    Free access