This will be the LISA gravitational wave space observatory

Oct. 23 () –

NASA has presented a full-scale prototype of six telescopes that will allow, in the next decade, the spatial detection of gravitational waves.

The mission LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) is led by ESA in partnership with NASA to detect gravitational waves — ripples in space-time caused by merging black holes and other cosmic sources — by using lasers to measure precise distances (down to picometers, or trillionths). meter) between a spaceship trio distributed in a vast configuration larger than the Sun. Each side of the triangular array will measure almost 2.5 million kilometers.

“The twin telescopes aboard each spacecraft will transmit and receive infrared laser beams to track their companions, and NASA will supply all six to the LISA mission,” he said. in a statement Ryan DeRosa, researcher at the Goddard Space Flight Center. “The prototype, called the Engineering Development Unit Telescope, will guide us in our work to build the flight hardware.”

The Engineering Development Unit Telescope, which was manufactured and assembled by L3Harris Technologies in Rochester, New York, arrived at Goddard in May. The primary mirror is gold coated to better reflect infrared lasers and reduce heat loss from a surface exposed to cold space, since the telescope will work best when it is close to room temperature.

The prototype is made entirely of a amber glass ceramic called Zerodur, manufactured by Schott in Mainz, Germany. The material is widely used for telescope mirrors and other applications requiring high precision because its shape changes very little over a wide range of temperatures.

The launch of the LISA mission is scheduled for the mid-2030s.