NASA has revealed a full-scale prototype for six telescopes that will be used in the LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) mission, led by ESA in partnership with NASA, to detect gravitational waves in the next decade. These telescopes will use lasers to measure precise distances between a trio of spacecraft distributed in a vast configuration larger than the Sun, with each side of the triangular array measuring nearly 1.6 million miles. Twin telescopes aboard each spacecraft will transmit and receive infrared laser beams to track their companions, with NASA supplying all six telescopes for the mission.
The prototype telescope, called the Engineering Development Unit Telescope, was manufactured and assembled by L3Harris Technologies in Rochester, New York, and arrived at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in May. The primary mirror is coated in gold to better reflect the infrared lasers and reduce heat loss in cold space. The telescope is made from Zerodur, an amber-colored glass-ceramic manufactured by Schott in Mainz, Germany, which is known for its high precision and stability at different temperatures. This prototype will guide NASA as they work towards building the flight hardware for the LISA mission.
The LISA mission aims to detect gravitational waves by using lasers to measure precise distances between spacecraft, enabling the detection of ripples in space-time caused by merging black holes and other cosmic sources. The telescopes will be crucial in this mission, as they will be responsible for transmitting and receiving the laser beams to track the position of the spacecraft. The telescopes are a key component in the mission’s goal to launch in the mid-2030s and advance our understanding of the universe.
The use of Zerodur in the telescope mirrors ensures stability and high precision in the measurements of gravitational waves, as the material’s shape changes very little over a wide range of temperatures. This will be important for the success of the LISA mission, as any fluctuations in the telescopes could affect the accuracy of the measurements. NASA’s collaboration with ESA in the LISA mission reflects the international effort to advance space exploration and scientific discovery, with the goal of expanding our understanding of the universe and the fundamental forces at play.
The arrival of the Engineering Development Unit Telescope at Goddard marks an important milestone in the progress towards building the flight hardware for the LISA mission. NASA’s involvement in supplying all six telescopes for the mission highlights their commitment to advancing space-based detection of gravitational waves and their collaboration with international partners in achieving this goal. The use of advanced technology and materials in the telescopes demonstrates NASA’s dedication to precision and accuracy in scientific research, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in space exploration and our understanding of the universe.
Overall, the unveiling of the prototype telescope for the LISA mission represents a significant step forward in the field of gravitational wave detection and space-based research. With the launch of the mission planned for the mid-2030s, the telescopes will play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the universe and uncovering new insights into the nature of gravity and cosmic phenomena. NASA’s partnership with ESA in this mission underscores the importance of international collaboration in pushing the boundaries of space exploration and scientific discovery, with the goal of unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos for generations to come.