Italian satellite is a laser disco ball for science

LARES will help scientists on the ground study the warping of space-time

If Albert Einstein were alive to witness Italy's Laser Relativity Satellite (LARES) in action, he might just start dancing. That's because the tungsten sphere, just over a foot in diameter, is meant to orbit the Earth and help scientists prove part of the genius's general theory of relativity — by firing lasersat it.

Due to be launched later this month, LARES is covered in 92 reflectors designed to bounce laser light fired from ground stations back to its origin, thus allowing scientists to measure its precise distance and orbit. Using these measurements, it's hoped that they'll see proof that the satellite's orbit is being altered by a warping of space-time around the Earth as it rotates. This effect is called frame-dragging, and should be present if the concepts of general relativity hold true.

Conclusive proof that the frame-dragging is taking place may take several years to confirm, as it's possible for variables such as tall mountain ranges to affect the satellite's orbit as it passes over them. With an expected accuracy of 99%, however, the LARES will provide scientists with much higher precision than previous satellites have been able to offer.