ON A NEW METHOD TO MEASURE THE GRAVITOMAGNETIC FIELD USING 2 ORBITINGSATELLITES

We describe a new method to obtain the first direct measurement of the Lense-Thirring effect, or dragging. of inertial frames, and the first direct detection of the gravitomagnetic field. This method is based o n the observations of the orbits of the laser-ranged satellites LAGEOS and LAGEOS II. By this new approach one achieves a measurement of the gravitomagnetic field with accuracy of about 25%, or less, of the Len se-Thirring effect in general relativity.