# LISA Pathfinder

## TL;DR

LISA Pathfinder demonstrated the feasibility of space-based gravitational wave detection, providing crucial measurements and subsystem analyses that support the future LISA mission for observing gravitational waves from space.

## Contribution

This paper presents the first comprehensive overview of the LISA Pathfinder mission, including hardware, operations, and key results, validating the approach for future space-based gravitational wave observatories.

## Key findings

- Successful measurement of spurious forces on test masses
- Validation of subsystem performance for free-fall conditions
- Support for the feasibility of the LISA gravitational wave observatory

## Abstract

Since the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded for the observation of gravitational waves, it is fair to say that the epoch of gravitational wave astronomy (GWs) has begun. However, a number of interesting sources of GWs can only be observed from space. To demonstrate the feasibility of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), a future gravitational wave observatory in space, the LISA Pathfinder satellite was launched on December, 3rd 2015. Measurements of the spurious forces accelerating an otherwise free-falling test mass, and detailed investigations of the individual subsystems needed to achieve the free-fall, have been conducted throughout the mission. This overview article starts with the purpose and aim of the mission, explains satellite hardware and mission operations and ends with a summary of selected important results and an outlook towards LISA. From the LISA Pathfinder experience, we can conclude that the proposed LISA mission is feasible.