The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna ( LISA ) probe is planned for launch in 2034 to directly detect gravitational waves and will measure relative displacements with a resolution of 20 picometres over a distance of 5 million kilometres, yielding a strain sensitivity of better than 1 part in 10 20.
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The earthbound Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory ( LIGO ) and especially the space-based gravitational wave detector Laser Interferometer Space Antenna ( LISA ) will search for gravitational waves and are likely to be sensitive enough to detect signals from cosmic strings, provided the relevant cosmic string tensions are not too small.
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ESA s deep-space antenna in Europe, located in Cebreros, Avila, is an essential support to the activities of ESAC . Inaugurated in September 2005, Cebreros features a new, highly accurate pointing control system and a 35-metre antenna that allow ESA to gather data from distant missions to Mercury, Venus, Mars and beyond.
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In February 2009 it was announced that NASA / ESA had given EJSM priority ahead of the TSSM . The ESA contribution still faced funding competition from two other missions, the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna ( LISA ) and the International X-ray Observatory ( IXO ), which is why NASA kept a contingency plan of sending its part of the mission as a stand-alone project.
