Research report 2015 - Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Hanover)
LISA Pathfinder paves the way for the detection of gravitational waves in space
Authors
Reiche, Jens; Hewitson, Martin; Grothues, Hans-Georg; Knispel, Benjamin; Danzmann, Karsten
Departments
Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik, Teilinstitut Hannover, Hannover
Summary
The LISA Pathfinder satellite mission demonstrates core technologies for future gravitational-wave observatories in space like eLISA. These observatories will study low-frequency gravitational waves, which are emitted by, e. g., binary supermassive black holes or galactic binary stars. LISA Pathfinder was launched on December 3, 2015, and has commenced its science operations in March 2016. LISA Pathfinder will lead to a comprehensive model of all significant physical noise sources that can be extrapolated to the eLISA mission.