Abstract
Gravity Probe B, launched 20 April 2004, is a space experiment testing two fundamental predictions of Einstein’s theory of general relativity (GR), the geodetic and frame-dragging effects, by means of cryogenic gyroscopes in Earth orbit. Data collection started 28 August 2004 and ended 14 August 2005. Analysis of the data from all four gyroscopes results in a geodetic drift rate of and a frame-dragging drift rate of , to be compared with the GR predictions of and , respectively (“mas” is milliarcsecond; ).
- Received 1 April 2011
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.221101
© 2011 American Physical Society
Viewpoint
Finally, results from Gravity Probe B
Published 31 May 2011
Nearly fifty years after its inception, the Gravity Probe B satellite mission delivers the first measurements of how a spinning gyroscope precesses in the gravitational warping of spacetime.
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