April 16, 2004, Hour One: Gravity Probe B / New Source Review

Science Friday > Archives > 2004 > April > April 16, 2004:
Hour One: Gravity Probe B / New Source Review

Was Einstein right? Scientists are about to send a probe into orbit around Earth to try to test Einstein's general theory of relativity. In this hour, we'll take a look at the Gravity Probe B mission, scheduled for launch next Monday. Four ultra-high-precision gyroscopes on board the craft will look for evidence of the warping of space by our planet's mass as it orbits some 400 miles above Earth. The mission has been over 40 years in the making, and has cost $700 million. Is it worth it? We'll find out more.

Plus, The Clean Air Act and 'new source review.' We'll talk about why the rule, which governs how new sources of emissions and those undergoing significant renovations are regulated, has the energy industry and environmentalists up in arms. Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (2-3 Eastern), and share your opinions online in our Listeners' Lounge (registration required).

Guests:
John Turneaure
Co-Principal Investigator, Gravity Probe B Program
Professor, Physics
W.W. Hansen Experimental Physics Labs
Stanford University
Stanford, California

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Ed Yawn
Director, Government Relations
Edison Electric Institute
Washington, DC

Eric Schaeffer
Former Director, Office of Regulatory Enforcement, Environmental Protection Agency
Director, Environmental Integrity Project
Washington, DC

This segment produced by Karin Vergoth and Erica Altman

Archived Audio:
Gravity Probe B
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listen in Windows Media format

clean air
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listen in Windows Media format

streaming audio help from NPR

Books/Articles Discussed:

"Changing All the Rules" By Bruce Barcott. NY Times Magazine, April 4, 2004.

(find books discussed on previous broadcasts)