NASA unveils prototype LISA telescopes: What to know about hunt for gravitational waves

NASA has unveiled a prototype of six telescopes that in the years ahead will be part of a first-of-its kind mission to study a cosmic phenomenon that could hold clues about some of the universe's greatest mysteries.

The LISA mission, led by the European Space Agency, aims to send a fleet of three space probes into orbit to study gravitational waves, or distortions in space-time caused by violent events such as the collision of black holes. When the mission launches in more than a decade, the probes will spend at least four years following Earth's orbital path while scanning the cosmos for the phenomenon.

The prototype telescopes that NASA revealed will play an integral role in the LISA mission by helping the trio of spacecraft beam lasers to one another that will help uncover gravitational waves.

Here's what to know about the LISA mission and NASA's contribution:

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What is the LISA mission?

LISA is envisioned as the first space-based observatory dedicated to observing gravitational waves, a cosmic phenomenon that could hold clues about the mysteries of the universe.

First theorized in 1916 by Albert Einstein, gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of space-time created during some of the universe's most powerful events, including the merging or collision of supermassive black holes.

The acronym that LISA stands for is a bit of a mouthful – Laser Interferometer Space Antenna – but in essence, the space probes will detect and measure gravitational waves originating from places such as smaller stellar mass black holes orbiting supermassive black holes.

While gravitational waves have been detected by ground-based observatories in recent years – including NASA's Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory and the European Virgo observatory – only an observatory in space can spot waves at lower frequencies, according to the ESA.

The mission will deploy three spacecraft that will scour the universe, separated by about 1.5 million miles while flying in a triangular formation. The probes will follow more than 30 million miles behind Earth as our planet orbits the sun while relaying signals back and forth that, when combined, search for gravitational wave signatures.

By studying the data the probes collect, scientists hope to learn more about not only black holes, but even the Big Bang theorized to be how the universe began.

"Studying gravitational waves gives enormous potential for discovering the parts of the universe that are invisible by other means," NASA says on its website about the mission. "LISA will complement our knowledge about the beginning, evolution and structure of our universe."

NASA unveils telescope prototypes for LISA

Each of the three probes will be outfitted with a pair of telescopes supplied by NASA, said Ryan DeRosa, a researcher at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

The telescope prototypes, manufactured and assembled by L3Harris Technologies in Rochester, New York, arrived at Goddard in May, NASA said. NASA unveiled the prototypes Tuesday, which DeRosa said in a statement "will guide us as we work toward building the flight hardware."

The primary mirror is coated in gold to reflect the infrared lasers and help minimize the amount of heat lost when the surface is exposed to the freezing conditions of space, according to NASA.

Germany company Schott manufactures the material that the prototype is made of – an amber-colored glass-ceramic called Zerodur. The material is popular for telescope mirrors and other technology that needs to be precise since it's able to hold its shape even when exposed to a wide range of temperatures.

When will LISA launch?

The LISA mission is still a ways away from its targeted launch date in 2035.

In fact, construction isn't even to begin until January 2025 after a prime contractor has been chosen, according to the ESA.

When the array does head for space, it will be aboard an Ariane 6 launch system that the ESA helped develop lifting off from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NASA unveils telescopes for 3 spacecraft to launch on LISA mission