UPSC Prelims 2017·GS1·science-and-technology·space

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

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. ATo detect neutrinos
  2. BTo detect gravitational wavesCorrect
  3. CTo detect the effectiveness of missile defence system
  4. DTo study the effect of solar flares on our communication systems

Explanation

The 'evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA)' is a proposed space mission, also known simply as LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna), which is a joint European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA project. Its primary purpose is to detect and study gravitational waves. Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of spacetime, predicted by Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity. They are produced by extremely violent and energetic processes in the universe, such as colliding black holes, merging neutron stars, and supernovae. eLISA is designed to detect these faint ripples using extremely precise laser interferometry in space, thereby opening up a new window for observing the universe. Therefore, its application is to detect gravitational waves, not neutrinos, missile defense systems, or solar flares.
science-and-technology: What is the purpose of 'evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA)' project?

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