The LISA orbits are chosen to minimize changes in the distances between spacecraft. The spacecraft will maintain a triangular configuration even though each will be separately orbiting about the Sun. This image highlights the motion of one of the spacecraft and indicated how the distance between spacraft remains the same and how the triangulation formation changes orientation over one year. The changing orientation makes it possible to determine the direction of a gravitational-wave source.

High Resolution (TIF - 9.5 MB)