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GR: Fachverband Gravitation und Relativitätstheorie

GR 5: Hauptvorträge Dienstag: Weltraummissionen

GR 5.2: Hauptvortrag

Dienstag, 16. März 2010, 09:10–09:50, JUR K

LISA and LISA Pathfinder: Gravitational wave astronomy from space — •Karsten Danzmann — AEI Hannover, Max-Planck Institut für Gravitationsphysik und Universität Hannover, Callinstr. 38, 30167 Hannover

The low-frequency part of the gravitational wave spectrum, from 100 micro-Hertz up to 1 Hz, contains the most spectacular sources of gravitational waves. Really high precision measurements are possible here, making this frequency range very interesting for both Astronomy and Fundamental Physics.

LISA, the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, will comprise three satellites at the corners of an equilateral triangle with 5 Million km armlength. The constellation is inclined against the ecliptic by 60 degrees, following behind the earth in a distance of 50 Million km. Each satellite contains free-flying test masses on almost perturbation-free geodesic lines. Changes in the distances between the test masses will be measured by heterodyne laser interferometry with picometer resolution to detect the spacetime curvature caused by passing gravitational waves. LISA as a collaborative ESA/NASA mission is the most promising candidate for the L1 slot in the Cosmic Visions program of ESA with a launch in 2020. The Beyond Einstein Program Assessment Committee of NASA has just recently recommended LISA as a flagship mission for NASA.

Key technologies for LISA will be demonstrated on the precursor mission LISA Pathfinder, to be launched by ESA in 2012. Flight hardware manufacture for LISA Pathfinder has begun.