Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
16:57:00
Tuesday April 20, 2004
Watch Replay
Official Livestream
Gravity Probe B (GP-B) was a satellite-based mission to test two unverified predictions of general relativity: the geodetic effect and frame-dragging. This was to be accomplished by measuring, very precisely, tiny changes in the direction of spin of four gyroscopes contained in an Earth satellite orbiting at 650 km (400 mi) altitude, crossing directly over the poles.
Polar Orbit
1 Payload
3,100 kilograms
Manufacturer
ULARocket
Height: 38.9m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 4,844 kg
Liftoff Thrust
3,511 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 3m
Height: 8.9m
Stages
2
Strap-ons
9
112th
Mission
2nd
Mission of 2004
14th
Orbital launch attempt