NASA has revealed a prototype of six telescopes that will be part of the LISA mission, a first-of-its kind effort to study gravitational waves and uncover mysteries about black holes and the universe’s origins. The LISA mission, led by the European Space Agency, will deploy three probes equipped with telescopes to detect and measure gravitational waves caused by events like the collision of black holes. These waves provide valuable insights into the universe’s evolution and structure, as well as potential clues about the Big Bang theory.
The telescopes, developed by NASA and supplied by L3Harris Technologies, will help the probes communicate with each other by beaming lasers to detect gravitational wave signatures. The mirrors of the telescopes, coated in gold to reflect infrared lasers, are made of Zerodur, a material known for its precision and ability to maintain shape in various temperatures.
Construction for the LISA mission is set to begin in January 2025, with a targeted launch date in 2035 using the Ariane 6 launch system from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. This mission represents an important step in advancing our understanding of the universe’s hidden aspects that cannot be observed through traditional means, providing a unique opportunity to explore new frontiers in astrophysics.
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