Gravity Probe B

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

16:57:00

Tuesday April 20, 2004

Watch Replay

Official Livestream

Mission Details

Gravity Probe B

Wiki

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

Rocket

Retired
Delta II 7920-10C

Active 1997 to 2017

United Launch Alliance logo

Manufacturer

ULA

Rocket

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

Launch Site

SLC-2W

Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Fastest Turnaround

13 days 1 hour

Stats

Delta II


112th

Mission

2nd

Mission of 2004

2004


14th

Orbital launch attempt