Objectives and Applications
Scientific objectives are the measurement of the dragging of inertial frames due to the Earth's angular momentum, or Lense-Thirring effect, and a high precision test of the Earth's gravitomagnetic field with accuracy of the order of a few percent. Gravitomagnetic field and dragging of inertial frames are predictions of Einstein's theory of General Relativity. In addition, LARES will allow other measurements in geodesy and geodynamics.
Full Name
LAser RElativity Satellite
Mission Status
Operational (nominal)
Mission Agencies
Launch Date
13 Feb 2012
Mission Links
EOL Date
Feb 2052
Orbit Type
Inclined, non-sun-synchronous
Orbit Period
99.1 minutes
Orbit Sense
Ascending
Orbit Inclination
71 deg
Orbit Altitude
1450 km
Orbit Longitude
NORAD Catalog #
International Designator
LCCRA (LARES) - Laser Corner Cube Reflector Assembly |
| Category | Parameter | Instrument(s) |
| Gravity and Magnetic Fields | Gravity, Magnetic and Geodynamic measurements | LCCRA (LARES) |