European Space Agency ready to launch gravity probe
Posted December 02, 2015 6:00 am
BERLIN (AP) - The European Space Agency says it's preparing for the launch of a probe that will test technology for a future mission to measure gravitational waves.
The agency says the launch from French Guiana is scheduled for Thursday 0104 local time (0404 GMT).
Engineers had checked a technical problem that had been discovered in the Vega rocket and postponed the lift-off into orbit which was initially planned for Wednesday. ESA said in a statement the check had "provided satisfactory results."
Scientists hope the $450-million LISA Pathfinder mission will demonstrate it's possible to shield objects from external influences well enough to detect the minute effects of gravitational waves.
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Mission website: http://sci.esa.int/lisapf
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