Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Gravity Probe B
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
Gravity Probe B
Read Next
Space race (1957-1969) infographic between United States (U.S.) and Russia. America, Soviet Union, U.S.S.R., space exploration
Timeline of the Space Race, 1957–69
US Skylab space station in orbit. After the Apollo missions, the next major NASA venture was the Skylab manned earth satellite program. The orbiting laboratory was launched on May 14, 1973, and during the year three separate crewsof three men were sent up
Pro and Con: Space Colonization
Albert Einstein
How Albert Einstein Developed the Theory of General Relativity
Albert Einstein in Washington, D.C. c. 1921-1923. Physicist
The Solar Eclipse That Made Albert Einstein a Science Celebrity
Apollo 12 astronaut Charles "Pete" Conrad stands beside the U.S. flag after is was unfurled on the lunar surface during the first extravehicular activity (EVA-1) Nov. 19, 1969. Footprints made by the crew can be seen in the photograph.
How Many People Have Been to the Moon?
Discover
Close-up of ostriches (Struthio camelus) necks and heads; location unknown.
6 of the World's Most Dangerous Birds
Facsimile of one of William Henry Ireland's forgeries, a primitive self-portrait of William Shakespeare(tinted engraving). Published for Samuel Ireland, Norfolk Street, Strand, December 1, 1795. (W.H. Ireland, forgery)
The Time a Law Clerk Successfully Forged a New Shakespeare Play to Impress His Dad
Four year old boy with grandfather and father lighting Hanukkah menorah. Photo taken on: December 21st, 2009
Which Is Correct: Hanukkah or Chanukah?
Nativity Scene, Adoration of the Magi, Church of the Birth of the Virgin Mary, Montenegro
Why Is Christmas in December?
Srinivasa Ramanujan, Indian mathematician and autodidact.
6 Interesting Facts about Srinivasa Ramanujan
Ahura Mazda - relief of the Zoroastrian god Ahura Mazda at the ancient ruins of Persepolis in Iran. Also known as Ormazd Zoroastrianism,
Which Religion Is the Oldest?
King Cobra snake in Malaysia. (reptile)
9 of the World’s Deadliest Snakes
Gravity Probe B
Gravity Probe B Installation of the solar array on Gravity Probe B.

Gravity Probe B

United States spacecraft
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://mainten.top/topic/Gravity-Probe-B
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Written by
Dave Dooling
Education and Public Outreach Officer, National Solar Observatory, Sacramento Peak, New Mexico. Coauthor of Engineering Tomorrow.
Dave Dooling
Fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Article History

Gravity Probe B (GP-B), U.S. spacecraft, launched April 20, 2004, into polar orbit, that tested Einstein’s general theory of relativity. Specifically, it proved the existence of both frame-dragging—a very subtle phenomenon in which the rotation of a body (in this case, Earth) slowly drags the space-time continuum with it—and the geodetic effect, in which Earth’s curvature of space-time causes the circumference of an orbit to be smaller than it would be if space-time were flat. The measured values for these effects agreed with those predicted by general relativity. The craft carried four gyroscopes of ultraprecision 4-cm (1.6-inch) polished quartz spheres ...(100 of 130 words)

Access the full article
Help support true facts by becoming a member.