Gravity Probe B satellite (GP-B). Composite image of the GP-B satellite in Earth orbit over Florida,USA. This NASA probe,built to test Einstein's General Theory of Relativity,was launched on 20 April 2004. The main part of the probe is a 2.7- metre-tall central vacuum flask that keeps four gyroscopes at very low temperatures. Just under 4 centimetres wide,each gyroscope houses a spinning metal sphere. A telescope (shield at upper centre) will position the probe using a guide star. During the year the probe spends in its polar orbit,it is predicted that the warped space-time around the rotating Earth will drag the gyroscopes out of position. Power comes from 4 solar panels (blue) | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / NASA |
Bildgröße: | 4120 px × 3436 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |