LISA Pathfinder: LISA and Space-Based Gravitational Wave Observatories

A future space-based observatory would be an essential tool to exploit this new field of study by probing some of the most massive and powerful objects in the Universe, as it would be sensitive to gravitational waves with longer wavelengths than those detected on the ground. In this talk, the Principal Investigator for LISA Pathfinder will present the science goals, the incredible technology challenges involved, and the latest results from the mission.