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Gravity Probe B: Final Results of a Space Experiment to Test General Relativity

C. W. F. Everitt et al.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 221101 – Published 31 May 2011
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Abstract

Gravity Probe B, launched 20 April 2004, is a space experiment testing two fundamental predictions of Einstein’s theory of general relativity (GR), the geodetic and frame-dragging effects, by means of cryogenic gyroscopes in Earth orbit. Data collection started 28 August 2004 and ended 14 August 2005. Analysis of the data from all four gyroscopes results in a geodetic drift rate of 6601.8±18.3mas/yr and a frame-dragging drift rate of 37.2±7.2mas/yr, to be compared with the GR predictions of 6606.1mas/yr and 39.2mas/yr, respectively (“mas” is milliarcsecond; 1mas=4.848×109rad).

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  • Received 1 April 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.221101

© 2011 American Physical Society

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Finally, results from Gravity Probe B

Published 31 May 2011

Nearly fifty years after its inception, the Gravity Probe B satellite mission delivers the first measurements of how a spinning gyroscope precesses in the gravitational warping of spacetime.

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Vol. 106, Iss. 22 — 3 June 2011

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