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Gravity Probe B

Delta II

United States Air Force

Launch Status
Success

Mission


Gravity Probe B

  • Type: Astrophysics
  • Orbit: Low Earth Orbit
  • Launch Cost: $51,000,000

Gravity Probe B (GP-B) was a satellite-based experiment 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-orbiting satellite at 650 km (400 mi) altitude, crossing directly over the poles.

Location


Space Launch Complex 2W

Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Space Launch Complex 2W has witnessed the launch of 96 rockets, including 96 orbital launch attempts, while Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA, has been the site for 749 rocket launches.

Space Launch Complex 2W

Rocket


United Launch Alliance Delta II 7920-10C

Delta II is an American space launch system developed by McDonnell Douglas, now part of the Delta rocket family operated by United Launch Alliance. With more than 150 missions and a nearly perfect track record, Delta II has established itself as one of the most successful orbital launch systems.

Delta II 7920-10C

Agency


United States Air Force

The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signal Corps, the USAF was established as a separate branch of the United States Armed Forces in 1947 with the enactment of the National Security Act of 1947.

United States Air Force
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