Alignment test on LISA Pathfinder

LISA Pathfinder is being prepared for launch in the payload integration building, at the Centre Spatial Guyanais in Kourou, French Guiaia. Engineers are setting up alignment equipment around the spacecraft. The low-gain antennas of the Telemetry, Tracking and Command test can be seen with their anechoic caps.

LISA Pathfinder will test the fundamental technologies and instrumentation needed for future gravitational-wave observatories in space. LISA Pathfinder is currently scheduled for launch with Arianespace flight VV06 – the sixth launch of Europe's small Vega launcher – on 2 December at 04:15:00 UTC.

Follow the team's preparations for launch