Gravitational waves are ripples in space-time predicted by Albert Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity. Detecting gravitational waves would greatly enhance our knowledge of General Relativity and allow scientists to detect the impact of astronomical events which are thought to cause a miniscule distortion on the fabric of space itself. Whilst ground-based detectors are already being used to try to identify high-frequency gravitational waves, a space-based mission would try to pick up frequencies from 10^-4 Hz to 10^-1 Hz. This corresponds to galactic-scale events such as the coalescence of supermassive black holes.

LISA Pathfinder is designed to test one of the key ideas behind gravitational wave detectors – that free particles follow geodesics in space-time. The mission can show this more accurately than has been done in the past by tracking two test masses nominally in freefall, using picometre resolution laser interferometry. Several new technologies have been developed firstly to isolate the test masses from external forces when they get to space, and secondly to allow for the extremely small distance measurements to be performed by an onboard interferometer.

LISA Pathfinder cannot in itself detect gravitational waves – since the impact of gravitational waves is so tiny, the test masses would need to be millions of kilometres apart rather than the 38 cm available on board LISA Pathfinder. In fact, a low-frequency gravitational wave would cause a 1 m bar to move 10^-21 m to 10^-24 m – orders of magnitude smaller than an atomic nucleus at 10^-15 m. Using a space-based interferometer, one arm could act as a bar 5 x 10⁶ km long, making the effect of a low-frequency gravitational wave measurable.

LISA Pathfinder is designed to be the quietest spacecraft ever launched. It does not possess a typical payload structure since the spacecraft as a whole is part of the experiment. However, the payload does have two distinct parts: the LISA Technology Package (LTP), consisting of inertial sensors, interferometric readout, payload computer and diagnostic system – all provided by European companies, research institutes, and ESA; and the Disturbance Reduction System (DRS) provided by NASA and consisting of a processor running drag-free control software, and micro-Newton colloidal thrusters.

The spacecraft, provided by ESA, carries a cold gas propulsion system, developed originally for the Gaia mission, and a Drag-Free Attitude Control System (DFACS). The spacecraft must keep its position around the two test masses, which should have no forces acting on them. The test masses are cubes of gold:platinum alloy and function both as mirrors for the interferometer, and as references for the DFACS.

The launch of LISA Pathfinder is planned for 2015. The transfer to its operational orbit and initial set-up and calibration phases will take about three months. Then the in-flight demonstration of the experimental technology will take place. The science operations are divided into two blocks: 90 days for the LTP and 90 days for DRS. First results will be made available to the science community approximately three months after LISA Pathfinder reaches its operational orbit.

LISA Pathfinder is a pioneering mission: it will be the first high-quality orbiting gravitational laboratory for Fundamental Physics missions. It will conduct the first high-precision laser interferometric tracking of orbiting bodies in space; it will be the first nano and sub-nanometre formation flight of bodies in orbit; and it will be the first time test masses of this kind will fly freely in space at a distance of several millimetres from their surroundings with no mechanical contact to them.

The name LISA originally comes from Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, which was a gravitational wave mission planned by ESA and NASA. Although this mission will not go ahead because of changes in funding commitments, the new technologies required for a similar mission will be tested by LISA Pathfinder.