Lisa Pathfinder into space in search of the “vibrations of space-time” Einstein – The Republic

KOUROU – “Trois, deux, un,” a dull roar and continuously and then a trail of thick smoke and light. So is playing tonight, at 05.04 Italian time, Lisa Pathfinder , the mission of ‘ European Space Agency (Esa). Launched from the European space base in Kourou (French Guiana), aboard a rocket Vega (which was born in the Avio in Colleferro in Rome), the probe is intended to test technologies to create Elisa (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna evolved), the mega great space observatory million kilometers still under design.

It officially began the search for the “vibrations of space-time” mentioned 100 years does Albert Einstein in the theory of relativity. In 2 months, the probe will reach its final destination at 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, the so-called Lagrange point 1 (L1), a position of rest in which the gravity of the Sun and Earth ‘cancel’.

The scientific coordinator of the mission Stefano Vitale of ‘ University of Trento and’ National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN) explained that the mission, supported also by ‘ Italian Space Agency (Asi), constitutes a major boost to a revolution in the study of the universe, “comparable to the invention Telescope “.

” Pitcher, payload, science, technology and managerial capacity: a successful Italian throughout the supply chain, “said the president of ASI, Roberto Battiston . “Lisa Pathfinder is an important European mission,” he added, “where Italy plays an extraordinary role, proving that our country in this area has a recognized tradition that continues to confirm launch after launch, mission after mission, with the aim of confirming our country among the great even in space. “

With this mission Vega, the European launcher that was born in the factories Avio in Colleferro (Rome) , led to sixteen the number of satellites launched by the debut in 2012. For l`amministratore executive of Avio, Julius Ranzo , this Kourou for the launch, “the technology has proven extremely reliable vega and flexible, responding in the last three years with the requirements of very different routes. This is the result of a decade of research and development together with the agency with the Italian Space under ESA l`egida “.

The Italian contribution was not only scientific but also industrial technical components essential, in fact, were produced precisely in the peninsula, just think of the inertial sensors manufactured by the Company General of Space (CGS) or to micro-propulsion system by Selex ES ( Finmeccanica group).

Arguments:

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vega

aviation

lisa pathfinder

Albert Einstein

University of Trento

National Institute of Nuclear Physics

Italian space agency

Starring:

Stefano Vitale

roberto battiston