The German Space Agency at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) has awarded €35 million to the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute, AEI) to support the development and verification of key instruments for the LISA mission.
The funding will support the next phase of development of LISA’s optical measurement system, with a particular focus on the mission-critical phasemeter. This central instrument will measure extremely small changes in laser light caused by gravitational waves as the beams travel between LISA’s three spacecraft, separated by 2.5 million kilometres.
Under the leadership of the AEI, industrial partner OHB Systems AG will develop and manufacture engineering models, qualification models and flight hardware for a key component of the phasemeter. The AEI will also oversee extensive testing and verification activities, develop instrument simulators and contribute to preparations for LISA’s scientific operations.
The funding covers activities through 2030, with further support planned for subsequent project phases. These developments represent an important step towards LISA’s launch in the 2030s and its goal of opening a new window onto the gravitational-wave Universe.
Read the full press release on the AEI website.