Thursday, July 9, 2026
No menu items!
HomeNatureLARES-2 satellite measures frame-dragging effect around the Earth

LARES-2 satellite measures frame-dragging effect around the Earth

  • Will, C. M. & Yunes, N. Is Einstein Still Right?: Black Holes, Gravitational Waves, and the Quest to Verify Einstein’s Greatest Creation (Oxford Univ. Press, 2020).

  • Thorne, K. S., Price, R. H. & Macdonald, D. A. The Membrane Paradigm (Yale Univ. Press, 1986).

  • Apostolatos, T. A., Cutler, C., Sussman, G. J. & Thorne, K. S. Spin-induced orbital precession and its modulation of the gravitational waveforms from merging binaries. Phys. Rev. D 49, 6274 (1994).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • O’Connell, R. F. A note on frame dragging. Class. Quantum Grav. 22, 3815–3816 (2005).

    Article 
    ADS 
    MathSciNet 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Ciufolini, I. Dragging of inertial frames. Nature 449, 41–47 (2007).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Ciufolini, I., Matzner, R., Gurzadyan, V. & Penrose, R. A new laser-ranged satellite for General Relativity and Space Geodesy III. De Sitter effect and the LARES 2 space experiment. Eur. Phys. J. C 77, 819 (2017).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Smith, T. L., Erickcek, A., Caldwell, R. & Kamionkowski, M. Effects of Chern–Simons gravity on bodies orbiting the Earth. Phys. Rev. D 77, 024015 (2008).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Stephon, A. & Yunes, N. New post-Newtonian parameter to test chern-simons gravity. Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 241101 (2007).

    Article 
    MathSciNet 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Ciufolini, I. et al. A new laser-ranged satellite for general relativity and space geodesy: I. An introduction to the LARES 2 space experiment. Eur. Phys. J. Plus 132, 336 (2017).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • MĂĽller, J. et al. Lunar Laser Ranging: a tool for general relativity, lunar geophysics and Earth science. J. Geodesy 93, 2195 (2019).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Pearlman, M. et al. Laser geodetic satellites: a high-accuracy scientific tool. J. Geodesy 93, 2181 (2019).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Ciufolini, I. & Pavlis, E. C. A confirmation of the general relativistic prediction of the Lense–Thirring effect. Nature 431, 958–960 (2004).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Ciufolini, I. et al. An improved test of the general relativistic effect of frame-dragging using the LARES and LAGEOS satellites. Eur. Phys. J. C 79, 872 (2019).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Everitt, C. W. et al. Gravity Probe B: final results of a space experiment to test general relativity. Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 221101 (2011).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Lense, J. & Thirring, H. Uber den Einfluss der Eigenrotation der Zentralko¨rper auf die Bewegung der Planeten und Monde nach der Einsteinschen Gravitationstheorie. Phys. Z. 19, 156–163 (1918).


    Google Scholar
     

  • Einstein, A. Grundgedanken der allgemeinen Relativitätstheorie und anwendung dieser theorie in der astronomie, sitzungsher. Preuss Akad. Wiss. 778–786, 799–801 (1915).


    Google Scholar
     

  • Zeldovich, YaB & Novikov, I. D. Relativistic Astrophysics Vol. I Stars and Relativity (Univ. Chicago Press, 1971).

  • Landau, L. D. & Lifshitz, E. M. The Classical Theory of Fields 3rd rev., English edn. (Pergamon, 1971).

  • Weinberg, S. Gravitation and Cosmology: Principles and Applications of the General Theory of Relativity (Wiley, 1972).

  • Hawking, S. W. & Ellis, G. F. R. The Large Structure of Space-time (Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, 1973).

  • Misner, C. W., Thorne, K. S. & Wheeler, J. A. Gravitation (Freeman, 1973).

  • Hawking, S. & Penrose R. The Nature of Space and Time (Princeton Univ. Press, 2010).

  • Will, C. M. Theory and Experiment in Gravitational Physics (Cambridge Univ. Press, 2018).

  • Will, C. M. The confrontation between general relativity and experiment. Living Rev. Relativ. 17, 4 (2014).

    Article 
    ADS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Ciufolini, I. & Wheeler, J. A. Gravitation and Inertia (Princeton Univ. Press, 1995).

  • Kopeikin S. et al. Frontiers in Relativistic Celestial Mechanics Vol. 2 (de Gruyter, 2014).

  • Penrose, R. Gravitational collapse and space–time singularities. Phys. Rev. Lett. 14, 57 (1965).

    Article 
    ADS 
    MathSciNet 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Abbott, B. P. et al. Tests of general relativity with GW150914. Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 221101 (2016).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Thorne, K. S. LIGO and gravitational waves, III: Nobel lecture, December 8, 2017. Ann. Phys. 531, 1800350 (2019).

    Article 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Riess, A. G. et al. Observational evidence from supernovae for an accelerating universe and a cosmological constant. Astron. J. 116, 1009–1038 (1998).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Perlmutter, S. et al. Measurements of Omega and Lambda from 42 high-redshift supernovae. Astrophys. J. 517, 565–586 (1999).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Caldwell, R. R. Dark energy. Phys. World 17, 37 (2004).

    Article 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Ciufolini, I. Measurement of the Lense–Thirring drag on high-altitude laser-ranged artificial satellites. Phys. Rev. Lett. 56, 278 (1986).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Ciufolini, I. A comprehensive introduction to the Lageos gravitomagnetic experiment: from the importance of the gravitomagnetic field in physics to preliminary error analysis and error budget. Int. J. Mod. Phys. A 4, 3083–3145 (1989).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Ciufolini, I. et al. The LARES 2 satellite, general relativity and fundamental physics. Eur. Phys. J. C 83, 87 (2023).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Kaula, W. M. Theory of Satellite Geodesy (Blaisdell, 1966).

  • Ciufolini, I. Theory and experiments in general relativity and other metric theories. PhD Dissertation, Univ. Texas, Austin (1984).

  • Ries, J. C. Simulation of an experiment to measure the Lense–Thirring precession using a second LAGEOS satellite. PhD Dissertation, Univ. Texas, Austin (1989).

  • Peterson, G. E. Estimation of the Lense–Thirring precession using laser-ranged satellites. PhD Dissertation, Univ. of Texas, Austin (1997).

  • Tapley, B. D. & Ciufolini, I. Measuring the Lense-Thirring Precession Using a Second LAGEOS Satellite CSR-UT Report 89-3 (Texas Scholar Works depository, 1989); https://doi.org/10.26153/tsw/63964

  • Ciufolini, I. et al. A new laser-ranged satellite for general relativity and space geodesy: II. Monte Carlo simulations and covariance analyses of the LARES 2 experiment. Eur. Phys. J. Plus 132, 337 (2017).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Ciufolini, I. et al. A new laser-ranged satellite for general relativity and space geodesy: IV. Thermal drag and the LARES 2 space experiment. Eur. Phys. J. Plus 133, 333 (2018).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Ciufolini, I. et al. ASI-NASA Study on LAGEOS III (NASA, 1989); https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19910004157

  • Ray, R. D. & Merrifield, M. A. The semiannual and 4.4-year modulations of extreme high tides. J. Geophys. Res. Oceans 124, 5907–5922 (2019).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Bertotti, B. & Carpino, M. Supplementary satellites and tidal perturbations. In ASI-NASA Study on LAGEOS III (ed. Ciufolini I. et al.) (NASA, 1989); https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19910004157

  • Pucacco, G. & Lucchesi, D. M. Tidal effects on the LAGEOS–LARES satellites and the LARASE program. Celest. Mech. Dyn. Astr. 130, 66 (2018).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Gurzadyan, V. G., Ciufolini, I., Khachatryan, H. G., Mirzoyan, S. & Paolozzi, A. On the Earth’s tidal perturbations. II. LARES 2 satellite. Eur. Phys. J. Plus 140, 512 (2025).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Ries, J. C. et al. Development and Evaluation of the Global Gravity Model GGM05C CSR-16-02 (ICGEM, 2016); https://icgem.gfz.de/tom_longtime.

  • Tapley, B. D., Bettadpur, S., Watkins, M. & Reigber, C. The gravity recovery and climate experiment: mission overview and early results. Geophys. Res. Lett. 31, L09607 (2004).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Landerer, F. W. et al. Extending the global mass change data record: GRACE follow-on instrument and science data performance. Geophys. Res. Lett. 47, 12 (2020).

    Article 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Chen, W. & Shen, W. New estimates of the inertia tensor and rotation of the triaxial nonrigid Earth. J. Geophys. Res. 115, B12419 (2010).

    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Petit, G. G. & Luzum, B. (eds) IERS Technical Note No. 36, 2010 IERS Conventions, Frankfurt am Main Verlag des Bundesamts fĂĽr Kartographie und Geodaesie (IERS, 2010).

  • Ray, R. D. Precise comparisons of bottom-pressure and altimetric ocean tides. J. Geophys. Res. Oceans 118, 4570 (2013).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Ray, R. D. Documentation for Goddard Ocean Tide Solution GOT5: Global Tides from Multi-mission Satellite Altimetry TM-20250002085 (NASA, 2025).

  • Otsubo, T. et al. Rapid response quality control service for the laser ranging tracking network. J. Geod. 93, 2335–2344 (2019).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Lucchesi, D. M. & Balmino, G. The LAGEOS satellites orbital residuals determination and the Lense–Thirring effect measurement. Planet. Space Sci. 54, 581 (2006).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Pavlis, D. E. et al. GEODYN Systems Description Vols. 1 and 3 (NASA, 1998).

  • Pavlis, E. C. & Luceri, V. The ILRS contribution to ITRF2020 (ITRF, 2022); https://itrf.ign.fr/docs/solutions/itrf2020/The_ILRS_contribution_to_ITRF2020_description_2022.09.23.pdf

  • SoĹ›nica, K. & GaĹ‚dyn, F. Orbital relativistic correction resulting from the Earth’s oblateness term. J. Geod. 99, 52 (2025).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Soffel, M. et al. Relativistic effects in the motion of artificial satellites: the oblateness of the central body I. Celest. Mech. Dyn. Astr. 42, 81–89 (1987).

    Article 
    ADS 
    MathSciNet 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Will, C. M. Relativistic gravity in the Solar System. III. Experimental disproof of a class of linear theories of gravitation. Astrophys. J. 185, 31–42 (1973).

    Article 
    ADS 
    MathSciNet 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Will, C. M. & Nordtvedt, K. Jr. Conservation laws and preferred frames in relativistic gravity. Astrophys. J. 177, 757–774 (1972).

  • Nordtvedt, K. Jr & Will, C. M. Conservation laws and preferred frames in relativistic gravity. II. Experimental evidence to rule out preferred-frame theories of gravity. Astrophys. J. 177, 775–792 (1972).

    Article 
    ADS 
    MathSciNet 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Will, C. M. Theoretical frameworks for testing relativistic gravity. II. Parametrized post-Newtonian hydrodynamics, and the Nordtvedt effect. Astrophys. J. 163, 611–627 (1971).

    Article 
    ADS 
    MathSciNet 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Thorne, K. S. & Will, C. M. Theoretical frameworks for testing relativistic gravity. I. Foundations. Astrophys. J. 163, 595–610 (1971).

    Article 
    ADS 
    MathSciNet 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Nordtvedt, K. Jr. Equivalence principle for massive bodies. II. Theory. Phys. Rev. 169, 1017–1025 (1968).

    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Chandrasekhar, S. & Contopoulos, G. On a post-Galilean transformation appropriate to the post-Newtonian theory of Einstein, Infeld and Hoffmann. Proc. R. Soc. A 298, 123–141 (1967).

    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Schiff, L. I. in Relativity Theory and Astrophysics, 1: Relativity and Cosmology (ed. Ehlers, J.) 105 (American Mathematical Society, 1967).

  • Chandrasekhar, S. The post-Newtonian equations of hydrodynamics in general relativity. Astrophys. J. 142, 1488–1512 (1965).

    Article 
    ADS 
    MathSciNet 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Freire, P. C. C. & Wex, N. Gravity experiments with radio pulsars. Living Rev. Relativ. 27, 5 (2024).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Particle Data Group. Experimental Tests of Gravitational Theory (2025).

  • Soffel, M. et al. The IAU 2000 resolutions for astrometry, celestial mechanics and metrology in the relativistic framework: explanatory supplement. Astron. J. 126, 2687–2706 (2003).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Brumberg, V. Essential Relativistic Celestial Mechanics (CRC, 2017).

  • Damour, T., Soffel, M. & Xu, C. General-relativistic celestial mechanics. I. Method and definition of reference systems. Phys. Rev. D 43, 3273–3307 (1991).

    Article 
    ADS 
    MathSciNet 
    CAS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Roh, K.-M., Kopeikin, S. M. & Cho, J.-H. Numerical simulation of the post-Newtonian equations of motion for the near-Earth satellite with an application to the LARES satellite. Adv. Space Res. 58, 2255–2268 (2016).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Ashby, N. & Bertotti, B. Relativistic perturbations of an Earth Satellite. Phys. Rev- Lett. 52, 485–488 (1984).

    Article 
    ADS 
    MathSciNet 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Ashby, N. & Bertotti, B. Relativistic effects in local inertial frames. Phys. Rev. D 34, 2246–2259 (1986).

    Article 
    ADS 
    MathSciNet 
    CAS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Bertotti, B., Ciufolini, I. & Bender, P. L. New test of general relativity: measurement of de Sitter geodetic precession rate for lunar perigee. Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 1062–1065 (1987).

    Article 
    ADS 
    MathSciNet 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Huang, C. et al. Relativistic effects for near-earth satellite orbit determination. Celest. Mech. Dyn. Astr. 48, 167–185 (1990).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Rubincam, D. P. Yarkovsky thermal drag on LAGEOS. J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth 93, 13805–13810 (1988).

    Article 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Rubincam, D. P. Drag on the LAGEOS satellite. J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth 95, 4881–4886 (1990).

    Article 

    Google Scholar
     

  • AndrĂ©s de la Fuente, J. I. & Noomen, R. Enhanced Modelling of the Non-Gravitational Forces Acting on LAGEOS. In Proc. 15th International Workshop on Laser Ranging Instrumentation (ILRS LW15) (Delft University of Technology, 2006).

  • Couhert, A. et al. Self-consistent determination of the Earth’s GM, geocenter motion and figure axis orientation. J. Geodesy 94, 113 (2020).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Gao, D. & Ni, W.-T. Frame-dragging effects in a gravitational quantum field theory. Phys. Rev. D 111, 084039 (2025).

    Article 
    ADS 
    MathSciNet 
    CAS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Hartle, J. B. & Thorne, K. S. Slowly rotating relativistic stars. II. Models for neutron stars and supermassive stars. Astrophys. J. 153, 807–834 (1968).

    Article 
    ADS 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Kerr, R. P. Gravitational field of a spinning mass as an example of algebraically special metrics. Phys. Rev. Lett. 11, 237–238 (1963).

    Article 
    ADS 
    MathSciNet 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Abac, A. G. et al. GW250114: Testing Hawking’s area law and the Kerr nature of black holes. Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 111403 (2025).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • Chandrasekhar, S. On stars, their evolution and their stability: Nobel lecture, December 8, 1983. Science 226, 497–505 (1984).

    Article 
    ADS 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar
     

  • RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular

    Recent Comments