KSC-03PD-2867

[KSC-03PD-2867]

  • Photo Number: KSC-03PD-2867

  • Release Date: 12-Sep-2003

  • Keywords: NASA,KSC,Kennedy Space Center
    • Description: VANDENBERG AFB, CALIF. In the spacecraft processing facility on North Vandenberg Air Force Base, the Gravity Probe B experiment sits on an assembly and test stand where it has been subject to various prelaunch testing. The Gravity Probe B will launch a payload of four gyroscopes into low-Earth polar orbit to test two extraordinary predictions of Albert Einsteins general theory of relativity: the geodetic effect (how space and time are warped by the presence of the Earth) and frame dragging (how Earths rotation drags space and time around with it). Once in orbit, for 18 months each gyroscopes spin axis will be monitored as it travels through local spacetime, observing and measuring these effects. The experiment was developed by Stanford University, Lockheed Martin and NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center. The targeted launch date is Dec. 6, 2003.

    Resolution Format Width
    (Pixels)    		 Height
    (Pixels)    		 Size
    (Bytes)
    Thumbnail GIF 65 100 8174
    Slide GIF 120 108 15500
    Low GIF 157 239 43350
    Medium JPEG 503 767 100259
    High JPEG 1968 3000 2845283

    Point of Contact

    Name: NASA Kennedy Space Center

    Address:

    KSC Public Affairs Office
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899

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    Photos By: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Scanned By: Seven Still Photo Imaging
    Captions: Information Dynamics, Inc
    Curator: NASA/KSC Internet Systems Lab (Dumoulin, Downs, Paladino)
    Last Updated: Saturday August 13 15:18:51 EDT 2003 ()

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