LISA Pathfinder artist's concept

LISA Pathfinder will pave the way for the LISA mission by testing in flight the very concept of the gravitational wave detection.

It will put two test masses in a near-perfect gravitational free-fall and control and measure their motion with unprecedented accuracy. This is achieved through state-of-the-art technology comprising the inertial sensors, the laser metrology system, the drag-free control system and an ultra-precise micro-propulsion system.