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Gravity Probe B
Delta II 7920-10CUnited States Air ForceSpace Launch Complex 2W
Tuesday, April 20, 2004 · 04:57 PM UTCAdd to Calendar
This mission is complete.
Mission Brief
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.
PayloadGravity Probe B
OrbitLow Earth Orbit
CustomerUnited States Air Force
Stages0
PadSpace Launch Complex 2W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Mission Timeline
14 / 14100%Site lock
Launch Site
Space Launch Complex 2W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
34.756°N, 120.622°W
Schedule History
No delays or schedule changes recorded.




