eLISA gravitational wave observatory
eLISA gravitational wave observatory
LISA Pathfinder will test in space the technology that be used for the eLISA Gravitational Wave Observatory. The eLISA space observatory will consist of three spacecraft – a mother craft and two daughter craft. They will be positioned in a near-equilateral triangle formation, with each side measuring approximately two million kilometres. The entire triangle will rotate and follow Earth on its orbit around the Sun at distances ranging between 10 and 25 million kilometres. The spacecraft are connected by laser beams – a feat of unprecedented technical precision. The observatory will be able to ‘hear’ any gravitational waves that pass through their alignment in a frequency range of between 0.1 millihertz and 0.1 hertz.
