ESA approves mission to detect gravitational waves with trio of spacecraft

Monday - February 5 2024, 02:57 UTC - 9 months ago

ESA has approved the LISA mission which will launch in 2035 and use a trio of spacecraft to detect gravitational waves from space. LISA is a collaboration between ESA, NASA, and international scientists and will offer new insights into cosmic events and the universe's expansion. The mission will also provide important information on the growth of massive black holes and the evolution of galaxies, as well as aid in measuring the expansion of the universe.

In a groundbreaking decision, ESA's Science Programme Committee has officially approved the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission. This mission, which is set to launch in 2035, will be the first of its kind to detect and study gravitational waves from space. With the go-ahead now given, work will commence in January 2025 to build the instruments and spacecraft, led by a European industrial contractor chosen by ESA.

LISA will consist of three spacecraft forming an equilateral triangle in space, with each side measuring 2.5 million kilometers in length. The spacecraft will use laser beams to exchange data over these vast distances, making it possible to detect the elusive ripples in spacetime caused by massive objects accelerating. This type of detection is not possible with ground-based instruments, making LISA a truly groundbreaking mission.

The LISA mission is a collaboration between ESA, its member state space agencies, NASA, and an international consortium of scientists known as the LISA consortium. Together, they will embark on a monumental journey to expand our understanding of the universe and its many mysteries.

Albert Einstein first predicted the existence of gravitational waves over a century ago, and now, thanks to modern technology and advancements, we have the ability to detect them. One of the key goals of LISA is to capture the gravitational ‘ringing’ from the beginning of the universe, shedding light on the first seconds after the Big Bang. Additionally, LISA will help scientists better understand the growth and function of massive black holes at the center of galaxies, as well as the role they play in the evolution of galaxies.

LISA will also provide a new way to measure the expansion of the universe, allowing for further exploration and testing of fundamental questions about how our universe came to be. With its launch planned for 2035, LISA is sure to offer new insights and discoveries into our ever-expanding universe.