The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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The LISA Technology Package includes two inertial sensors around each test mass, solid cubes of a gold and platinum alloy, and a highly stable optical bench between them that holds the mirrors of a laser interferometer. This will measure the relative separation of the cubes by bouncing laser light off the highly reflective surfaces.
A precision micro-propulsion system with tiny thrusters will keep the spacecraft and test masses in perfect position, protecting the cubes from the influence of external forces.
The technical team behind LISA Pathfinder has involved over 40 companies and research institutes from 14 European countries and the USA. The prime contractor, Airbus Defence & Space Ltd , led the industrial team building the spacecraft, while Airbus Defence & Space GmbH was responsible for providing the integrated LISA Technology Package payload.
The subsystems for the LISA Technology Package were provided by a consortium of European companies, research institutes and ESA. The USA contributed the Space Technology 7 Disturbance Reduction System payload.