NASA keen to keep its role in Europe-led LISA mission

NASA wants to stay involved in Europe's LISA mission, the first space-based gravitational wave observatory. The US would contribute about $1 billion and receive 100% of the science data, with launch planned around 2035.

• LISA uses three spacecraft flying 2.5 million km apart in a triangle
• NASA supplies lasers, telescopes and data analysis; ESA builds and launches the probes
• US cost is about $1 billion; ESA's budget is €1.75 billion
• Launch is scheduled for around 2035