NASA has introduced a full-scale prototype for six telescopes that will drive the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission, aimed at detecting gravitational waves from space events like merging black holes.
In collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), LISA will use these telescopes to measure incredibly precise distances—down to trillionths of a meter—between three spacecraft in a triangular formation spanning 1.6 million miles each side.
Also Read: NASA Reveals Prototype of LISA Telescopes Designed to Detect Gravitational Waves
Each spacecraft will carry twin telescopes that will transmit and receive infrared laser beams, precisely tracking their counterparts. The prototype, known as the Engineering Development Unit Telescope, is crafted from a stable glass-ceramic called Zerodur and coated in gold to reflect infrared lasers effectively, minimizing heat loss in space.
This prototype, developed by L3Harris Technologies, will serve as a model for the final telescopes. With LISA set for a mid-2030s launch, scientists anticipate groundbreaking advancements in our understanding of the universe.
