[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” height=”114px” background_color=”” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ title_text=”” background_image=”\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/slider-corpo2.jpg”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” _dynamic_attributes=”content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IjxoMSBjbGFzcz1cImVudHJ5X3RpdGxlXCI+IiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiI8L2gxPiJ9fQ==@[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” _dynamic_attributes=”content” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9kYXRlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJkYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6ImN1c3RvbSIsImN1c3RvbV9kYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6IlktbS1kIEg6aTpzIn19@[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” top_divider_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” top_divider_height=”0px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row column_structure=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.ieec.cat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/1543421902_7108b477e6173bfb06b490b23d5ab35d_optical_bench.jpg” alt=”Ready for launch The heart of space mission LISA Pathfinder was successfully tested” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” title_text=”PR_Image1.png” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ width=”600px” module_alignment=”center”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]The optical bench of the LISA Pathfinder (LPF) mission passed with flying colours extensive testing at the Institute for Gravitational Research (IGR) at the University of Glasgow. IGR scientists assured that the high-precision measurement system is ready to survive tremendous forces up to 35 g (35 times the gravitational acceleration on Earth) during rocket launch. \u201cWith the successful tests we reached an important milestone. The sophisticated laser interferometer works very well and is ready for its job in space. We are really excited that the LPF mission is well underway for the launch date of 2015,\u201d said Dr Christian Killow (Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Advanced Fellow). \u201cThe LPF mission will open the doors to eLISA, a gravitational wave space observatory that will revolutionize many areas of astrophysics, cosmology and fundamental physics,\u201d has mentioned Dr. Carlos F. Sopuerta, researcher at the Institute of Space Sciences (CSIC-IEEC), Barcelona.<\/p>\n
LISA Pathfinder is<\/p>\n
an ESA technology test mission that aims to prove essential key technologies for future space-based gravitational-wave observatories, which cannot be tested on Earth, but only in space. For this purpose, one laser arm of a planned large gravitational wave mission is reduced from millions of kilometres to 40 cm to fit into a single spacecraft. The optical bench tested at the IGR in Glasgow is the heart of LPF. It is now on its way to Astrium Germany for further integration into the LISA Pathfinder Technology Package. At Astrium the optical bench has to undergo health checks of the photodiodes that turn the laser beams into electrical signals, and also micron-level measurement of the beam positions on the photodiodes \u2013 a very strong indicator that the bench has survived transit unchanged.<\/p>\n
Paving the way<\/p>\n
LISA Pathfinder is paving the way for a large-scale space mission designed to detect one of the most elusive phenomena in astronomy \u2013 gravitational waves. Extreme precision is required to detect the tiny ripples in the fabric of space and time predicted by Albert Einstein. A direct detection of gravitational waves will add a new sense to our perception of the Universe: for the first time we will be able to LISTEN to the Universe because gravitational waves are similar to sound waves. Hence gravitational wave astronomy will complement our understanding of the Universe and its evolution. Gravitational waves measured by a large mission in space will allow us to e.g. trace the formation, growth, and merger history of massive black holes. Also it will enable us to confront General Relativity with observations, and it will probe new physics and cosmology with gravitational waves.<\/p>\n
International collaboration<\/p>\n
LPF is an ESA led mission. It involves European space companies and research institutes from France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and UK and the US space agency NASA.<\/p>\n
The concept and details of the optical system for LISA Pathfinder have been developed at the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute) in Hanover, Germany. Its director Karsten Danzmann is Co-Principal Investigator of the mission and shares the scientific leadership with Stefano Vitale, University of Trento, Italy.<\/p>\n
The Instituto de Ciencias del Espacio (CSIC-IEEC), through its group of Gravitational Wave Astronomy-LISA, has played a key role in LISA PathFinder. In collaboration with the local industry the group has design and built the Data Management Unit (DMU), the computer that controls the suit of experiments on board LISA Pathfinder. The group has also contributed with the diagnostics subsystem, a set of high sensitivity sensors for thermal and magnetic control and a radiation monitor for ionized cosmic particles.<\/p>\n
The Future<\/p>\n
ESA has recently published a call for White Papers describing science themes for the next large ESA missions L2 and L3 to be launched in 2028 and 2034. On 24 May 2013 the eLISA Consortium submitted a White Paper to ESA describing the science case for the eLISA mission: The Gravitational Universe.<\/p>\n
The eLISA consortium, a self-funded and independent collaboration of scientists from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the UK is convinced that a spaceborne low-frequency gravitational wave observatory to be launched in 2028 is the ideal tool to make progress in our understanding of the Universe.<\/p>\n
Images<\/p>\n
optical_bench<\/p>\n
Figure 1: Optic Bench del LISA Pathfinder- Credit: Paul Gavin\/IGR\/AEI\/Milde Science Communication<\/p>\n
contaminant_test<\/p>\n
Figure 2: Examining the optical bench for contamination. \u2013 Credit: Paul Gavin\/IGR\/AEI\/Milde Science Communication<\/p>\n
alignment_test<\/p>\n
Figure 3: Rechecking the precise placement of the mirrors and other elements after the last round of thermal tests on the LISA Pathfinder optical bench.- Credit: Paul Gavin\/IGR\/AEI\/Milde Science Communication<\/p>\n
PRESS RELEASE (PDF<\/a>)<\/p>\n For further information<\/p>\n Website de LISA\/LPF: Website of the LISA \u2013 Gravitational Waves Astronomy Group at the Institute of Space Sciences http:\/\/gwart.ice.csic.es<\/a><\/p>\n Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics website: http:\/\/www.aei.mpg.de\/hannover-en\/66-contemporaryIssues\/home\/index.php<\/a><\/p>\n ESA website: http:\/\/www.esa.int\/Our_Activities\/Space_Science\/LISA_Pathfinder_overview<\/a><\/p>\n UK Space Agency website: http:\/\/www.bis.gov.uk\/ukspaceagency\/missions\/lisa-pathfinder-developing-a-gravitational-wave-detector<\/a><\/p>\n Contact Spain<\/p>\n Dr. Carlos F. Sopuerta Susanne Milde, Milde Science Communication
http:\/\/www.elisa-ngo.org\/articles\/lisa-pathfinder<\/a>
http:\/\/support.elisascience.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n
Institut de Ci\u00e8ncies de l\u2019Espai (CSIC-IEEC)
Campus UAB, Facultat de Ci\u00e8ncies
Edifici C5, parells, 2a planta
08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain
Tel: +34 93 5868040 \/ 644004636
Email: sopuerta@ieec.uab.es<\/a>
http:\/\/gwart.ice.csic.es<\/a><\/p>\n
Tel: +49 (0)331 583 93 55
Email: milde@mildemarketing.de<\/a><\/p>\n