4 research outputs found
Gravity Probe B: Final Results of a Space Experiment to Test General Relativity
Gravity Probe B, launched 20 April 2004, is a space experiment testing two
fundamental predictions of Einstein's theory of General Relativity (GR), the
geodetic and frame-dragging effects, by means of cryogenic gyroscopes in Earth
orbit. Data collection started 28 August 2004 and ended 14 August 2005.
Analysis of the data from all four gyroscopes results in a geodetic drift rate
of -6,601.8+/- 18.3 mas/yr and a frame-dragging drift rate of -37.2 +/- 7.2
mas/yr, to be compared with the GR predictions of -6,606.1 mas/yr and -39.2
mas/yr, respectively (`mas' is milliarc-second; 1mas = 4.848 x 10-9 rad)
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The Gravity Probe B test of general relativity
The Gravity Probe B mission provided two new quantitative tests of Einstein's theory of gravity, general relativity (GR), by cryogenic gyroscopes in Earth's orbit. Data from four gyroscopes gave a geodetic drift-rate of −6601.8 ± 18.3 marc-s yr−1 and a frame-dragging of −37.2 ± 7.2 marc-s yr−1, to be compared with GR predictions of −6606.1 and −39.2 marc-s yr−1 (1 marc-s = 4.848 × 10−9 radians). The present paper introduces the science, engineering, data analysis, and heritage of Gravity Probe B, detailed in the accompanying 20 CQG papers.Physic