LATOR design are considered, this gives an overall accuracy for measuring how much gravity bends the laser beam of about 0.02 &micro as for a single measurement Using the ISS gives us a few advantages, "Turyshev explains. " For one, it's above the distortions of Earth's atmosphere, and it's also large enough to let us place the two lenses of the interferometer far apart (one lens on each end of the solar panel truss), which improves the resolution and accuracy of the results nIo Sun pir Above: The interferometer will be mounted to the solar-panel truss of the ISS. which automatically rotates to continuously face the sun. Image courtesy Slava Turyshev The 0.02 µ as accuracy of LATOR is good enough to reveal deviations from Einsteins relativity predicted by the aspiring Theories of Everything which range from roughly 0.5 to 35 &micro as. Agreement with LATOR's measurements would be a major boost for any of these theories. But if no deviation from Einstein is found even by LATOR, most of the current contenders--along with their 1l dimensions, pixellated space, and inconstant constants--will suffer a fatal blow and"pass on"to that great dusty library stack in the sky Because the mission requires only existing technologies, Turyshev says LATOR could be ready to fly as soon as 2009 or 2010. So it may not be too long before the stalemate in physics is broken and a new theory of gravity, space, and time takes the throne Author: Patrick L. Barry Responsible NASA official: Ron Koczor Production Editor: Dr. Tony Phillips Media Relations: Steve roy The Science Directorate at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center sponsors the Science(aNASA web sites. The mission of Science(@NASA is to help the public understand how exciting NASA research is and to help NAsa scientists fulfill their outreach responsibilitiesLATOR design are considered, this gives an overall accuracy for measuring how much gravity bends the laser beam of about 0.02 µ as for a single measurement. "Using the ISS gives us a few advantages," Turyshev explains. "For one, it's above the distortions of Earth's atmosphere, and it's also large enough to let us place the two lenses of the interferometer far apart (one lens on each end of the solar panel truss), which improves the resolution and accuracy of the results." Above: The interferometer will be mounted to the solar-panel truss of the ISS, which automatically rotates to continuously face the sun. Image courtesy Slava Turyshev. The 0.02 µas accuracy of LATOR is good enough to reveal deviations from Einstein's relativity predicted by the aspiring Theories of Everything, which range from roughly 0.5 to 35 µas. Agreement with LATOR's measurements would be a major boost for any of these theories. But if no deviation from Einstein is found even by LATOR, most of the current contenders--along with their 11 dimensions, pixellated space, and inconstant constants--will suffer a fatal blow and "pass on" to that great dusty library stack in the sky. Because the mission requires only existing technologies, Turyshev says LATOR could be ready to fly as soon as 2009 or 2010. So it may not be too long before the stalemate in physics is broken and a new theory of gravity, space, and time takes the throne. _____________________________________ Credits & Contacts Author: Patrick L. Barry Responsible NASA official: Ron Koczor Production Editor: Dr. Tony Phillips Curator: Bryan Walls Media Relations: Steve Roy The Science Directorate at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center sponsors the Science@NASA web sites. The mission of Science@NASA is to help the public understand how exciting NASA research is and to help NASA scientists fulfill their outreach responsibilities