The LISA mission, led by the European Space Agency (ESA) in partnership with NASA, aims to detect gravitational waves by utilizing a trio of spacecraft positioned in a vast triangular formation. The newly unveiled prototype, known as the Engineering Development Unit Telescope, is a crucial step towards building the flight hardware for the LISA mission. This prototype was manufactured and assembled by L3Harris Technologies in Rochester, New York, and has been delivered to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.
Telescope Features and Design:
The telescope features twin telescopes aboard each spacecraft, which will both transmit and receive infrared laser beams to track their companions. The primary mirror of the telescope is coated in gold to enhance the reflection of infrared lasers and minimize heat loss, ensuring optimal performance in the cold conditions of space. The telescope is made entirely from an amber-colored glass-ceramic material called Zerodur, produced by Schott in Mainz, Germany. This material is chosen for its high precision and minimal shape changes over a wide range of temperatures.
