Delta II
SuccessGravity Probe B · United States Air Force
Launch time (NET)
Tuesday, Apr 20, 2004, 16:57 UTC
Launch window
Tuesday, Apr 20, 2004, 16:57 UTC – Tuesday, Apr 20, 2004, 16:57 UTC
Provider
United States Air Force
Rocket
Launch pad
Space Launch Complex 2W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA · Open map
Status
Success
The launch vehicle successfully inserted its payload(s) into the target orbit(s).
Mission
Gravity Probe B
Type
Astrophysics
Orbit
Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
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.
Go to payload page →🎬 Recent videos
No recent videos found — this row stays empty until something new appears.