Hardware Development For Gravity Probe-B

D. Bardas; W. S. Cheung; D. Gill; R. Hacker; G. M. Keiser; J. A. Lipa; M. Macgirvin; T. Saldinger; J. P. Turneaure; M. S. Wooding; J. M. Lockhart

doi:10.1117/12.966637

18 July 1986 Hardware Development For Gravity Probe-B

D. Bardas, W. S. Cheung, D. Gill, R. Hacker, G. M. Keiser, J. A. Lipa, M. Macgirvin, T. Saldinger, J. P. Turneaure, M. S. Wooding, J. M. Lockhart

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Proceedings Volume 0619, Cryogenic Optical Systems and Instruments II; (1986) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.966637
Event: O-E/LASE'86 Symposium, 1986, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Gravity Probe-B (GP-B), also known as the Stanford Relativity Gyroscope Experiment, will test two fundamental predictions of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity by precise measurement of the precessions of nearly perfect gyroscopes in earth orbit. This endeavor will be the result of over 25 years of research and embodies state-of-the-art technologies in many fields including, among others, gyroscope fabrication and readout, cryogenics, super-conductivity, magnetic shielding, precision optics and alignment methods, and satellite control systems. These technologies are necessary to enable measurement of the predicted precession rates to the milli-arcsecond/year level and to reduce to "near zero" all non-General Relativistic torques on the gyroscopes. This paper, the first of six on GP-B at this conference, will provide a brief overview of the experiment followed by descriptions of several specific hardware items with highlights on progress to date and plans for future development and tests.

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D. Bardas, W. S. Cheung, D. Gill, R. Hacker, G. M. Keiser, J. A. Lipa, M. Macgirvin, T. Saldinger, J. P. Turneaure, M. S. Wooding, and J. M. Lockhart "Hardware Development For Gravity Probe-B", Proc. SPIE 0619, Cryogenic Optical Systems and Instruments II, (18 July 1986); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.966637

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