| Thursday, April 22 2004 @ 04:18 PM MST
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The NASA space vehicle designed to test two
important predictions of Albert Einstein's Theory of General Relativity launched
today from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., aboard a Boeing Delta II
expendable launch vehicle.
The spacecraft is being inserted into an almost perfect circular
polar orbit around the Earth at an altitude of 400 statute miles. "The solar
arrays are deployed, and we have received initial data that indicates all
systems are operating smoothly. We are very pleased," said Gravity Probe B
(GP-B) program manager Rex Geveden of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center
(MSFC), Huntsville, Ala. "The Gravity Probe B space vehicle houses one of the
most challenging science instruments ever devised and seeks to answer some of
the most important questions about the structure of our universe," he said.
The GP-B mission will use four ultra-precise gyroscopes to test
Einstein's theory that space and time are distorted by the presence of massive
objects. To accomplish this, the mission will measure two factors, how space and
time are very slightly warped by the presence of the Earth, and how the Earth's
rotation very slightly drags space-time around with it.
"This is a great moment and a great responsibility, the outcome of
a unique collaboration of physicists and engineers to develop this near-perfect
instrument to test Einstein's theory of gravity," said the experiment's
principal investigator Dr. Francis Everitt of Stanford University in Stanford,
Calif. "We are very grateful for all the support we have received at NASA and
elsewhere for this exacting effort, truly a new venture in fundamental physics."
In-orbit checkout and calibration is scheduled to last 60 days,
followed by a 12-month science-data acquisition period and a two-month
post-science period for calibrations.
Gravity Probe B Prelaunch and Launch Image Gallery
| Spacearium Videos
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(DOWNLOAD) The first attempt to launch Gravity Probe B is called off minutes before launch. This is the full launch attempt webcast.
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(DOWNLOAD) Part 1/3, Watch a replay of the full webcast of the launch of Gravity Probe B.
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(DOWNLOAD) Part 2/3, Watch a replay of the full webcast of the launch of Gravity Probe B.
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(DOWNLOAD) Part 3/3, Watch a replay of the full webcast of the launch of Gravity Probe B.
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(DOWNLOAD) Watch a shorter clip replay of the full webcast of the launch of Gravity Probe B from T-2 minutes through 1st stage separation.
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(DOWNLOAD) Launch replays.
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(DOWNLOAD) A view of Gravity Probe B during second stage coast prior to spacecraft separation.
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(DOWNLOAD) Cameras mounts on the Delta's second stage capture the dramatic sight of Gravity Probe B being released to begin its 18-month mission.
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(DOWNLOAD) NASA Launch Director Chuck Dovale makes remarks following the successful deployment of Gravity Probe B.
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(DOWNLOAD) This animation depicts the deployment sequence of the spacecraft.
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(DOWNLOAD) A poll is conducted at T-20 min for the go-ahead to resume the countdown.
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(DOWNLOAD) The Delta II's main engine is put through a series of gimballing tests.
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(DOWNLOAD) The final launch poll is conducted at T-4 minutes prior to picking up the count from the final built-in hold.
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(DOWNLOAD) Project scientist Everett makes some remarks prior to launch.
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| NASA Direct Video Clips (credit: NASA)
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| ,r KSC-04-S-00124 (Stream)
(DOWNLOAD) (04/20/2004) --- Post-Launch interview with Chuck Dovale, NASA's Launch Manager, giving his overview of the lift-off. Gravity Probe B is the relativity gyroscope experiment developed by NASA and Stanford University to test two extraordinary, unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.
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KSC-04-S-00123 (Stream)
(DOWNLOAD) (04/20/2004) --- Video images of the GP-B separation process. Gravity Probe B is the relativity gyroscope experiment developed by NASA and Stanford University to test two extraordinary, unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.
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KSC-04-S-00122 (Stream)
(DOWNLOAD) (04/20/2004) --- Interview with Brad Parkinson, GP-B's Co-Principal Investigator explains mission details. Gravity Probe B is the relativity gyroscope experiment developed by NASA and Stanford University to test two extraordinary, unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.
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KSC-04-S-00121 (Stream)
(DOWNLOAD) (04/20/2004) --- George Diller, provides a commentary on the successful launch of the GP-B spacecraft. Gravity Probe B is the relativity gyroscope experiment developed by NASA and Stanford University to test two extraordinary, unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.
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KSC-04-S-00120 (Stream)
(DOWNLOAD) (04/20/2004) --- NASA commentator George Diller describes the launch process in this video animation. Gravity Probe B is the relativity gyroscope experiment developed by NASA and Stanford University to test two extraordinary, unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.
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KSC-04-S-00119 (Stream)
(DOWNLOAD) (04/20/2004) --- NASA commentator George Diller interviews Dr. Francis Everitt, Principal Investigator for the GP-B mission. Dr. Everitt explains GP-B's payload processing. Gravity Probe B is the relativity gyroscope experiment developed by NASA and Stanford University to test two extraordinary, unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.
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KSC-04-S-00118 (Stream)
(DOWNLOAD) (04/20/2004) --- 1st Lieutenant Breea Lemm announces the current weather conditions for the GP-B Launch. Gravity Probe B is the relativity ,yroscope experiment developed by NASA and Stanford University to test two extraordinary, unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.
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KSC-04-S-00117 (Stream)
(DOWNLOAD) (04/19/2004) --- George Diller interviews Wanda Harding, Mission Integration Manager for Gravity Probe B.Gravity Probe B is the relativity gyroscope experiment developed by NASA and Stanford University to test two extraordinary, unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.
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KSC-04-S-00116 (Stream)
(DOWNLOAD) (04/19/2004) --- Mission Director calls a hold and reschedules launch for tomorrow, April 20 at 12:47 p.m. EDT. Gravity Probe B is the relativity gyroscope experiment developed by NASA and Stanford University to test two extraordinary, unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.
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KSC-04-S-00115 (Stream)
(DOWNLOAD) (04/19/2004) --- Gravity Probe B's launch sequence animation. Gravity Probe B is the relativity gyroscope experiment developed by NASA and Stanford University to test two extraordinary, unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.
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KSC-04-S-00114 (Stream)
(DOWNLOAD) (04/19/2004) --- George Diller interviews Gravity Probe B scientist Dr. Francis Everitt. Gravity Probe B is among the most thoroughly researched programs ever undertaken by NASA. Gravity Probe B is the relativity gyroscope experiment developed by NASA and Stanford University to test two extraordinary, unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.
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KSC-04-S-00113 (Stream)
(DOWNLOAD) (04/19/2004) --- Crew rolls back tower at Pad SLC-2. Gravity Probe B is among the most thoroughly researched programs ever undertaken by NASA. Gravity Probe B is the relativity gyroscope experiment developed by NASA and Stanford University to test two extraordinary, unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.
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KSC-04-S-00112 (Stream)
(DOWNLOAD) (04/19/2004) --- Pre-launch interview with Gravity Probe B Mission Director, Rex Geveden. Gravity Probe B is the relativity gyroscope experiment developed by NASA and Stanford University to test two extraordinary, unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.
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KSC-04-S-00098 (Stream)
(DOWNLOAD) (04/14/2004) --- Why Vandenberg, Vandenberg Air Force Base is home to NASA's west coast launch facility. Located along California's central coast between Los Angeles and San Francisco, it was once even considered for a second Shuttle launch and landing site. Vandenberg spans 86-thousand acres with a mountainous region to the south and an arid, desert landscape to the north. It is nestled between the Pacific Ocean to the west and the foothills of the Santa Ynez mountains to the east. The barren, sandy area disguises it as one of North America's gateways to the universe. You may ask why NASA needs a launch site on the west coast.
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KSC-04-S-00089 (Stream)
(DOWNLOAD) (04/02/2004) --- Gravity Probe B is ready for launch to test Einstein's general theory of relativity. Gravity Probe B, an experiment developed by NASA and Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., is in final preparation for its launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, scheduled for April 17. The spacecraft will house the experiment as it orbits 400 miles above Earth. Gravity Probe B will test two elements of Einstein's theory of space and time. Gravity Probe B is managed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., for NASA's Office of Space Science in Washington, D.C.
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KSC-03-S-00085 (Stream)
(DOWNLOAD) (11/25/2003) --- The Gravity Probe B solar arrays undergo illumination testing at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Gravity Probe B is the relativity gyroscope experiment being developed by NASA and Stanford University to test two extraordinary, unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity. The experiment will measure how space and time are warped by the presence of the Earth, as well as how the Earth's rotation drags space-time around with it.
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KSC-03-S-00084 (Stream)
(DOWNLOAD) (11/25/2003) --- The solar arrays of the Gravity Probe B spacecraft undergo deployment testing at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Gravity Probe B is the relativity gyroscope experiment being developed by NASA and Stanford University to test two extraordinary, unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity. The experiment will measure how space and time are warped by the presence of the Earth, as well as how the Earth's rotation drags space-time around with it.
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KSC-03-S-00083 (Stream)
(DOWNLOAD) (11/25/2003) --- The solar arrays of the Gravity Probe B spacecraft are installed at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Gravity Probe B is the relativity gyroscope experiment being developed by NASA and Stanford University to test two extraordinary, unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity. The experiment will measure how space and time are warped by the presence of the Earth, as well as how the Earth's rotation drags space-time around with it.
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KSC-03-S-00065 (Stream)
(DOWNLOAD) (11/04/2003) --- A Delta II launch vehicle sends the Gravity Probe B spacecraft skyward in this animation. Gravity Probe B is the relativity gyroscope experiment developed by NASA and Stanford University to test two extraordinary, unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity. Launch is scheduled for no earlier than December 6, 2003.
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KSC-03-S-00056 (Stream)
(DOWNLOAD) (10/29/2003) --- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, staging of the Boeing Delta II Launch vehicle is underway. This entails erecting the stages of the launch vehicle at the pad. Gravity Probe B is the relativity gyroscope experiment being developed by NASA and Stanford University to test two extraordinary, unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity. The experiment will measure how space and time are warped by the presence of the Earth, as well as how the Earth's rotation drags space-time around with it.
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KSC-03-S-00055 (Stream)
(DOWNLOAD) (10/29/2003) --- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, processing is underway at the launch pad for the Gravity Probe B launch. This video shows the fairing arrival at the pad and erection on the Boeing Delta II launch vehicle.
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KSC-03-S-00037 (Stream)
(DOWNLOAD) (07/18/2003) --- The Gravity Probe B spacecraft is cleaned and tested at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Gravity Probe B is the relativity gyroscope experiment being developed by NASA and Stanford University to test two extraordinary, unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity. The experiment will measure how space and time are warped by the presence of the Earth, as well as how the Earth's rotation drags space-time around with it.
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Story Continues Below
During the mission, data from GP-B will be received a minimum of
twice daily. Either Earth-based ground stations or NASA's data relay satellites
can receive the information. Controllers will be able to communicate with the
orbiting space vehicle from the Mission Operations Center at Stanford
University.
Data will include space vehicle and instrument performance, as
well as the very precise measurements of the gyroscopes' spin-axis pointing. By
2005 the GP-B mission will be complete. A one-year period is planned for
scientific analysis of the data.
MSFC manages the GP-B program. NASA's prime contractor for the
mission, Stanford University, conceived the experiment and is responsible for
the design and integration of the science instrument, as well as for mission
operations and data analysis. Lockheed Martin, a major subcontractor, designed,
integrated and tested the space vehicle and some of its major payload
components. NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Boeing Expendable Launch Systems
were responsible for the pre-launch preparations, countdown and launch of the
Delta II.
For information about NASA and agency missions on the Internet, visit: http://www.nasa.gov
For information,about the GP-B mission on the Internet, visit: http://einstein.stanford.edu/
and http://www.gravityprobeb.com
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