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Collection:
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NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Collection
Collection
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Collection
Collection
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Name of Image:
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Gravity Probe B Gyroscope Rotor
Name_of_Image
Gravity Probe B Gyroscope Rotor
Name of Image
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Full Description:
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The Gravity Probe B (GP-B) is the relativity experiment developed at Stanford University to test two extraordinary predictions of Albert Einstein?s general theory of relativity. The experiment will measure, very precisely, the expected tiny changes in the direction of the spin axes of four gyroscopes contained in an Earth-orbiting satellite at a 400-mile altitude. So free are the gyroscopes from disturbance that they will provide an almost perfect space-time reference system. They will measure how space and time are very slightly warped by the presence of the Earth, and, more profoundly, how the Earth?s rotation very slightly drags space-time around with it. These effects, though small for the Earth, have far-reaching implications for the nature of matter and the structure of the Universe. This photograph is a close up of a niobium-coated gyroscope motor and its housing halves. GP-B is among the most thoroughly researched programs ever undertaken by NASA. This is the story of a scientific quest in which physicists and engineers have collaborated closely over many years. Inspired by their quest, they have invented a whole range of technologies that are already enlivening other branches of science and engineering. Launched April 20, 2004 , the GP-B program was managed for NASA by the Marshall Space Flight Center. Development of the GP-B is the responsibility of Stanford University along with major subcontractor Lockheed Martin Corporation. (Image credit to Don Harley.)
Full_Description
The Gravity Probe B (GP-B) is the relativity experiment developed at Stanford University to test two extraordinary predictions of Albert Einstein?s general theory of relativity. The experiment will measure, very precisely, the expected tiny changes in the direction of the spin axes of four gyroscopes contained in an Earth-orbiting satellite at a 400-mile altitude. So free are the gyroscopes from disturbance that they will provide an almost perfect space-time reference system. They will measure how space and time are very slightly warped by the presence of the Earth, and, more profoundly, how the Earth?s rotation very slightly drags space-time around with it. These effects, though small for the Earth, have far-reaching implications for the nature of matter and the structure of the Universe. This photograph is a close up of a niobium-coated gyroscope motor and its housing halves. GP-B is among the most thoroughly researched programs ever undertaken by NASA. This is the story of a scientific quest in which physicists and engineers have collaborated closely over many years. Inspired by their quest, they have invented a whole range of technologies that are already enlivening other branches of science and engineering. Launched April 20, 2004 , the GP-B program was managed for NASA by the Marshall Space Flight Center. Development of the GP-B is the responsibility of Stanford University along with major subcontractor Lockheed Martin Corporation. (Image credit to Don Harley.)
Full Description
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Date of Image:
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2003-01-01
Date_of_Image
2003-01-01
Date of Image
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Category:
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Space Science
Category
Space Science
Category
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term:
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Gravity Probe B
Keywords
Gravity Probe B
term
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term:
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GP-B
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term:
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Albert Einstein
Keywords
Albert Einstein
term
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term:
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General Theory of Relativity
Keywords
General Theory of Relativity
term
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term:
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Gyroscope Motor
Keywords
Gyroscope Motor
term
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facet_what:
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Earth
facet_what
Earth
facet_what
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facet_what:
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Gravity Probe B
facet_what
Gravity Probe B
facet_what
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facet_where:
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Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)
facet_where
Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)
facet_where
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facet_when:
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April 20, 2004
facet_when
April 20, 2004
facet_when
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facet_when_year:
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2004
facet_when_year
2004
facet_when_year
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Reference Number:
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MSFC-75-SA-4105-2C
Reference_Number
MSFC-75-SA-4105-2C
Reference Number
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MIX #:
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0400533
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NIX #:
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MSFC-0400533
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MSFC Negative Number:
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0400533
MSFC_Negative_Number
0400533
MSFC Negative Number
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UID:
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SPD-MARSH-0400533
UID
SPD-MARSH-0400533
UID
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original url:
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original_url
original url
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