The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometers long, with lasers shining between the craft.
The experiment in question refers to
- A.Voyager-2
- B.New Horizons
- C.LISA Pathfinder
- D.Evolved LISA
▶ Answer & Explanation
Correct answer: D. Evolved LISA
The description refers to the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission, which is designed to detect gravitational waves. Evolved LISA (ELISA) was an earlier concept for this mission, involving a constellation of three spacecraft forming an equilateral triangle to measure tiny distortions in spacetime caused by passing gravitational waves. The other options, Voyager-2 and New Horizons, are deep-space probes for planetary exploration, and LISA Pathfinder was a technology demonstrator mission for LISA, not the full observatory itself.
Source: UPSC gs1 2020