1. The gravity-probe-b relativity gyroscope experiment: Development of the prototype flight instrument
- Author
-
R. A. van Patten, William M. Fairbank, D. Bardas, D. E. Davidson, R. T. Parmley, P. Zhou, J. P. Turneaure, C. W. F. Everitt, Bradford W. Parkinson, Y. M. Xiao, Barry Muhlfelder, Saps Buchman, M. Taber, John V. Breakwell, W. S. Cheung, G. M. Keiser, S. Feteih, Xinhua Qin, D. Gill, R. Hacker, D.B. DeBra, and J.M. Lockhart
- Subjects
Physics ,Atmospheric Science ,business.industry ,General relativity ,Measure (physics) ,Polar orbit ,Aerospace Engineering ,Geodetic datum ,Astronomy and Astrophysics ,Gyroscope ,Physics::Geophysics ,law.invention ,Geophysics ,Classical mechanics ,Theory of relativity ,Space and Planetary Science ,law ,Physics::Space Physics ,Electromagnetic shielding ,Precession ,General Earth and Planetary Sciences ,Aerospace engineering ,business - Abstract
The Gravity-Probe-B relativity gyroscope experiment (GP-B) will measure the geodetic and frame-dragging precession rates of gyroscopes in a 650 km high polar orbit about the earth. The goal is to measure these two effects, which are predicted by Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, to 0.01 percent (geodetic) and 1 percent (frame-dragging). This paper presents the development progress for full-size prototype flight hardware including the gyroscopes, gyro readout and magnetic shielding system, and an integrated ground test instrument.
- Published
- 1989