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http://einstein.stanford.edu/
this is the website for "GravityProbe B" the test of General Relativity
using orbiting gyroscopes
someone told me that GP-B is already flying but
at this site it says that shipment to Vandenburg
for launch is scheduled for June 26, 2003.
Does anyone know of this planned test of relativity?
Does anyone know if launch has occurred or if not (as
I suppose) when it is likely to take place.
The spacecraft seems to be finished---have seen photos.
It carries four hi-tech (cryogenic?) gyroscopes and
extremely precise sensors to detect any tilt of axis
due to framedragging or whatever.
Can anyone explain this planned test of relativity
in layman's terms. Leonard Schiff, who thought it up,
first proposed it back in the Seventies. But it is technically
very challenging and has taken something like 30 years
to prepare. Apparently it tests some aspect of GR which
has not been tested and is capable of distinguishing between
Einsteins version of gravity and some possible alternative
models
this is the website for "GravityProbe B" the test of General Relativity
using orbiting gyroscopes
someone told me that GP-B is already flying but
at this site it says that shipment to Vandenburg
for launch is scheduled for June 26, 2003.
Does anyone know of this planned test of relativity?
Does anyone know if launch has occurred or if not (as
I suppose) when it is likely to take place.
The spacecraft seems to be finished---have seen photos.
It carries four hi-tech (cryogenic?) gyroscopes and
extremely precise sensors to detect any tilt of axis
due to framedragging or whatever.
Can anyone explain this planned test of relativity
in layman's terms. Leonard Schiff, who thought it up,
first proposed it back in the Seventies. But it is technically
very challenging and has taken something like 30 years
to prepare. Apparently it tests some aspect of GR which
has not been tested and is capable of distinguishing between
Einsteins version of gravity and some possible alternative
models