NASA has confirmed the launch of its Einstein Gravity Probe B mission for 17 April. The much-delayed Lockheed Martin-built craft will test Einstein's theory of general relativity by measuring the way the Earth warps local space-time.
Einstein will slowly roll about the line of sight to a guide star, IM Pegasi, viewed by a reference telescope. Warping of space-time will be measured by the precession of four liquid helium-cooled gyroscopes that will compare data from the telescope to an accuracy of 0.1 millisecond.
Source: Flight International
