LISA Pathfinder launch - fairing separation
Artist's impression of the Vega rocket carrying LISA Pathfinder into orbit, showing the moment the aerodynamic fairing is jettisoned.
LISA Pathfinder will test key technologies for space-based observation of gravitational waves – ripples in the fabric of spacetime that are predicted by Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.
Full animated sequence: LISA Pathfinder launch animation.
Last Update: 1 September 2019