Objectives and Applications
The overall objective is to provide two extremely precise new tests of Einstein's theory of gravity, namely the General Theory of Relativity (formulated in 1916 - it states that gravity affects time and distance, by stretching time and contracting distance in the presence of a gravitational field) by means of observations on gyroscopes in Earth orbit.
Full Name
Gravity Probe B
Mission Status
Mission complete
Mission Agencies
Launch Date
20 Apr 2004
Mission Links
EOL Date
08 Dec 2010
Orbit Type
Orbit Period
97.5 minutes
Orbit Sense
Orbit Inclination
90 deg
Orbit Altitude
642 km
Orbit Longitude
NORAD Catalog #
International Designator