Interferometry in Space

Our research group plays a leading role in the development of the space-based gravitational-wave detector LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna). LISA technology also flies onboard the GRACE Follow-On mission, which observes climate change trough changes in the Earth's gravitational field. The research group also was a major player in the LISA Pathfinder mission, which successfully tested key technologies for LISA from 2015 until 2017.

LISA

LISA will be a mission of discovery – the first gravitational-wave observatory in space. It will gather entirely new information about the dark, invisible Universe and work hand in hand with other astronomical observatories in the 2030s.

Satellite gravimetry

Satellite gravimetry measures the Earth's gravitational field from low Earth orbit with LISA technology to monitor critical indicators of climate change.

LISA Pathfinder

LISA Pathfinder was the test mission of the European Space Agency ESA for LISA,  the first gravitational-wave observatory in space. LISA Pathfinder successfully demonstrated central LISA technologies.

Dissertations

by members of the  “Space Interferometry” group

IfoCAD

IfoCAD is a software library for simulating precision laser interferometry.

News

The AEI plays a leading role in the development of LISA’s key instruments

July 17, 2026

The AEI receives a grant totaling 35 million euros from the DLR to develop key components of the instruments for the satellite mission

Milestone for climate research satellite mission

June 12, 2026

AEI developed engineering model of key instrument for ESA’s Next Generation Gravity Mission has been successfully tested

Precision optics for global climate change monitoring

November 07, 2025

The design, testing, and in‑orbit performance analysis of the GRACE Follow-On triple mirror assembly

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