Launch Overview
Vehicle
Delta 7920-10C
Agency
United States Air Force
Site / Pad
V / SLC2W
Outcome
Success
Flight
D304
COSPAR Designator
2004-014
Mission
Gravity Probe B (Astrophysics)
Gravity Probe B (GP-B) was a satellite-based experiment to test two unverified predictions of general relativity: the geodetic effect and frame-dragging. This was to be accomplished by measuring, very precisely, tiny changes in the direction of spin of four gyroscopes contained in an Earth-orbiting satellite at 650 km (400 mi) altitude, crossing directly over the poles.
Vehicle & Provider
Rocket
Delta II 7920-10C
Provider
United States Air Force
Agency launches
1060 (3 YTD)
Site launches
617 (1 YTD)
Pad launches
71 (1 YTD)