NASA Contributions to LISA: Space-based Gravitational Wave Laser Technology Development Project for the LISA Mission

LISA uses laser light to make measurements of the distance between pairs of spacecraft. In order to reach the required precision of picometers (1pm = 10-12m), the LISA lasers must carefully control both their intensity and their wavelength. In addition, the lasers have to operate for an extended period in the harsh environment of space. NASA is developing a prototype LISA laser system to meet these challenging requirements. The LISA laser utilizes the same non-planar ring oscillator (NPRO) technology employed by ground-based gravitational wave detectors like LIGO but in a customized package that is optimized for spaceflight. The laser is stabilized to a frequency reference cavity similar to the one which flew on the NASA-German GRACE-FO mission.

Develop enabling technology for the LISA mission US contribution to the LISA mission led by ESA

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