What is the purpose of ‘evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA)’ project?

1. To detect neutrinos
2. To detect gravitational waves
3. To detect the effectiveness of missile defence system
4. To study the effect of solar flares on our communication systems

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• eLISA (evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) is a mission to study gravitational waves in space. It involves three spacecraft—one mother and two daughter spacecraft—in a triangular formation.

Image Source: NASA

• Gravitational waves were first theorized by Albert Einstein. They are created during events such as supermassive black hole mergers, or collisions between two black holes that are billion times bigger than our Sun. These collisions are so powerful that they create distortions in spacetime, known as gravitational waves.

• Forebears: LISA builds on the success of LISA Pathfinder and the US-based Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO).
  • LISA Pathfinder, launched in late 2015 and operational until mid-2017, successfully paved the way for LISA by demonstrating the key technologies needed for a large gravitational wave observatory to operate in space.
• Partnership: Led by ESA, the LISA mission is a collaboration between ESA, NASA, and an international consortium of scientists (the LISA consortium).
• Planned launch: 2035

Answer: (b) To detect gravitational waves; Difficulty Level: Medium