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Mission Images

LISA

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Mission

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The primary scientific goal of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission is to detect and observe gravitational waves from massive black holes and galactic binaries with periods in the range of a few seconds to a few hours (i.e. in the frequency range 10-4 to 10-1 Hz). This low-frequency range is inaccessible to ground-based interferometers because of the unshieldable background of local gravitational noise arising from atmospheric effects and seismic activity. Ground-based interferometers are also physically limited in length to a few kilometres, restricting their coverage to events such as supernova core collapses and binary neutron star mergers.

Credits: ESA-C. Vijoux

Spacecraft

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This is an artist's impression showing one of the two LISA payload terminals on-board each spacecraft.

Credits: ESA/ Astrium

Journey

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A schematic diagram of the LISA spacecraft in formation as they orbit around the Sun. The spacecraft are separated from each other by 5 million kilometres and trail behind the Earth at a distance of 50 million kilometres (equivalent to 20 degrees).

Credits: ESA

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This picture shows an artist's impression of LISA's yearly orbit around the Sun. The rotation of the triangle that the spacecraft form can be seen in the picture.

Credits: ESA

Last update: 21 August 2009

More about...

LISA factsheet

What is gravity?Gravitational waves – ‘dents’ in space-time

In depth

LISA Summary