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Q43·GS Paper 1 · Prelims 2020

Space Missions for Gravitational Waves

S&TSpace Technology & AstronomyFactual singleMediumCurrent-affairs-linked

Question

"The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft." The experiment in question refers to

Options

a

Voyager-2

b

New Horizons

c

LISA Pathfinder

d

Evolved LISA

Answer

Explanation

The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) or Evolved LISA (eLISA) is a proposed space probe by the European Space Agency designed to detect and accurately measure gravitational waves. The mission architecture comprises three spacecraft arranged in an equilateral triangle with arms millions of kilometers long, using laser interferometry. > One-line conceptual takeaway: eLISA aims to detect gravitational waves from space by measuring minuscule distance changes between three widely separated spacecraft using lasers. Answer: (d).

Question details

Year

2020

Paper

GS Paper 1

Question

Q43

Subject

Science & Technology

Sub-topic

Space Technology & Astronomy

Type

Factual single

Difficulty

Medium

Nature

Current-affairs-linked

Source hint

LIGO discoveries / ESA eLISA mission

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