Delta II | Gravity Probe B

Launch Provider & Rocket

• Provider: United States Air Force (Government)
• Rocket: Delta II 7920-10C — Delta family

Mission

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.

• Type: Astrophysics
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

Launch Site

• Pad: Space Launch Complex 2W
• Location: Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
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