In the top central part of the graph, the wedge-shaped area indicates the original requirements of LISA Pathfinder for the differential acceleration between the two test masses. Below it, the more stringent requirements for a future spaceborne observatory of gravitational waves are also indicated. The red curve is based on the measurements of the differential acceleration between the two test masses performed with LISA Pathfinder, which achieved a precision more than five times better than required. The data are corrected for inertial effects due to spacecraft rotation, and roughly 10 clearly identifiable glitches have been removed from the data by fitting.

These results show that LISA Pathfinder has surpassed its original requirements, reaching a level of precision better than that required by a future gravitational-wave observatory.