Gravity Probe B: Final Results of a Space Experiment to Test General Relativity
C. W. F. Everitt, D. B. DeBra, B. W. Parkinson, J. P. Turneaure, J. W., Conklin, M. I. Heifetz, G. M. Keiser, A. S. Silbergleit, T. Holmes, J., Kolodziejczak, M. Al-Meshari, J. C. Mester, B. Muhlfelder, V. Solomonik, K., Stahl, P. Worden, W. Bencze, S. Buchman, B. Clarke
TL;DR
Gravity Probe B conducted a space-based experiment using cryogenic gyroscopes to measure and test two key predictions of Einstein's General Relativity, achieving results consistent with theoretical expectations.
Contribution
This paper presents the final results of Gravity Probe B, providing precise measurements of geodetic and frame-dragging effects that confirm Einstein's predictions within experimental uncertainties.
Findings
Measured geodetic drift rate: -6,601.8 ± 18.3 mas/yr
Measured frame-dragging drift rate: -37.2 ± 7.2 mas/yr
Results agree with General Relativity predictions
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 -6,601.8+/- 18.3 mas/yr and a frame-dragging drift rate of -37.2 +/- 7.2 mas/yr, to be compared with the GR predictions of -6,606.1 mas/yr and -39.2 mas/yr, respectively (`mas' is milliarc-second; 1mas = 4.848 x 10-9 rad).
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