Status
Success
Rocket
Mission Details
Gravity Probe B
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.
Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 3,100.0 kg
Polar Orbit
Location
SLC-2W, Vandenberg SFB, California, USA
Stats
2004
14th orbital launch attempt
Delta II
112th mission
2nd mission of 2004
110th successful mission
57th consecutive successful mission