Projects: Past Missions
LISA Pathfinder/ST7
Launch date: 3 December 2015
Retired: 18 July 2017
http://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/lisa-pathfinder/
LISA Pathfinder was an ESA technology test mission for the eLISA/NGO mission to search for gravitational waves generated by massive objects such as black holes. NASA contributed one of two payloads, named ST-7.
LISA Pathfinder paved the way for eLISA/NGO. It tested new methods of spacecraft control and determined if laser interferometry is feasible at the level of accuracy required by eLISA/NGO.
LISA Pathfinder placed two test-masses in a nearly perfect gravitational free-fall, for controlling and measuring their motion with unprecedented accuracy. This was achieved through state-of-the-art technology comprising inertial sensors, a laser metrology system, a drag-free control system, and an ultra-precise micro-propulsion system.
All these technologies are essential not only for eLISA/NGO—they also lie at the heart of any future space-based test of Einstein's General Relativity. LISA Pathfinder was launched in 2015.
Final Launch Preparations for LISA Pathfinder: Images of Integration of LISA Pathfinder into VEGA rocket. Photo credit(s): ESA, Manuel Pedoussaut, 2015
Related Past Missions
The following missions are part of the Explorer Program, but their science is closely related to the Physics of the Cosmos Theme.
Hitomi
Launch date: 12 February 2016
http://astro-h.isas.jaxa.jp/en/
Hitomi (formerly ASTRO-H) is an X-ray observation satellite that will explore the extreme universe, particularly high energy phenomena around black holes and supernova explosions, and clusters of galaxies filled with high-temperature plasma.
PCOS News
Program News and Announcements
4 December 2020
Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon (PRISM) Step-2 Due Date. Step-2 proposals now due
3 February 2021. Step-1 proposal due date unchanged as
11 December 2020 »
Details.
4 December 2020
Release of Final text and Due Dates for ROSES Post-COVID Recovery program. Requests received by
4 January 2021 will be processed first. Final due date is
5 March 2021. »
Details.
4 December 2020
NICER seeks panel members for Cycle 3 proposal review »
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4 December 2020
NASA Science seeking volunteer proposal reviewers in Earth and Space Science »
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9 November 2020
SMD Community Town Hall on Tues 17 November to discuss updates to the Agency-wide science program. »
Details.
6 November 2020
NASA Fundamental Physics Program Virtual Town Hall on
3 December 2020, to discuss research priorities in advance of the Biological and Physical Sciences Division Decadal Survey. »
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5 November 2020
Call for proposals for Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon (PRISM). Step-1 Proposals are due
11 December 2020. »
Details.
28 October 2020
Call for proposals on Open-Source Tools, Libraries, and Frameworks. »
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28 October 2020
Revised Text and Due Date for NuSTAR General Observer Program Cycle 7. »
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22 Oct 2020
Principal Investigator Launchpad workshop in Summer 2021, targeted toward researchers developing their first flight mission concepts. »
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21 October 2020
Revised submission date: Applications Sought for PhysPAG Executive Committee. Submissions now due
November 6. »
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14 October 2020
Astrophysics Explorers Announcement of Opportunity Community Announcement »
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17 September 2020
NASA announces major revisions in Astrophysics Research and Analysis opportunity. Due dates remain unchanged. »
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29 July 2020
Community Announcement: Intention to Amend ROSES-20 via a Future Appendix for Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon (PRISM). »
Details.
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