ESA launch carries UT-developed laser ranging satellite

By the Physics Computer Group (help@physics.utexas.edu)

On February 13th of this year, the European Space Agency (ESA) conducted the inaugural launch of the Vega rocket. Principal among its payload was LARES, a laser-ranged gravitational studies satellite whose designs began in the 1980s here at the University.

“We’ve been working on this for almost 30 years,” said Richard Matzner, a professor here in the Department. “With the launch, there is a note of exhaustion perhaps. But, yes, we are very happy too.”

The satellite will be used in measurements to further test and confirm the presence and degree of frame dragging, an effect predicted by general relativity to occur in the presence of a rotating mass—in this case, the Earth.

For additional information, visit: http://web5.cns.utexas.edu/news/2012/02/matzner-lares/

Originally published Friday, March 9, 2012