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2004 · United States Air Force

Gravity Probe B

successDelta II | Gravity Probe B

Gravity Probe B (GP-B) was a satellite-based experiment to test two unverified predictions of general relativity: the geodetic effect and frame-dragging. This was to be accomplished by measuring, very precisely, tiny changes in the direction of spin of four gyroscopes contained in an Earth-orbiting satellite at 650 km (400 mi) altitude, crossing directly over the poles.

Overview

Date / time
April 20, 2004 at 04:57 PM UTC
Outcome
success
Launch site
Space Launch Complex 2W
Mission
Gravity Probe B
Mission type
Astrophysics
Orbit achieved
Low Earth Orbit
Launch vehicle
Delta II 7920-10C →
Launch provider
United States Air Force →

Payloads deployed · 1

GP-B
LEO