LISA
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Laser Interferometer Space Antenna |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Science & Engineering, Business & Finance |
LISA has two meanings. It stands for Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (astronomy & Space) or Lifetime ISA (personal finance).
Meanings of LISA at a glance
| # | LISA stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laser Interferometer Space Antenna | Science & Engineering › Astronomy & Space |
| 2 | Lifetime ISA | Business & Finance › Personal Finance |
1. Laser Interferometer Space Antenna
Science & Engineering · Astronomy & Space Abbreviations
Planned space-based gravitational-wave observatory led by the European Space Agency with NASA participation. Three spacecraft in a triangle 2.5 million kilometers on a side will exchange laser beams to detect low-frequency gravitational waves from merging supermassive black holes and compact binaries.
Example: LISA will hear the gravitational waves of thousands of white-dwarf binaries in the Milky Way.
ESA formally adopted LISA in January 2024, with launch planned for the mid-2030s. The LISA Pathfinder mission (2015-2017) demonstrated the key technology of keeping test masses in near-perfect free fall. LISA will cover frequencies far lower than ground-based detectors like LIGO can reach.
2. Lifetime ISA
Business & Finance · Personal Finance Abbreviations
UK savings account for adults aged 18 to 39 that adds a 25% government bonus to contributions of up to £4,000 a year, for use toward a first home or after age 60. Contributions count toward the overall £20,000 ISA allowance.
Example: Our LISA bonuses added £2,000 to the deposit on our first flat.
Launched in April 2017. Withdrawals for any other purpose face a 25% charge, which claws back the bonus plus some of the saver's own money. The first-home price cap of £450,000 has not changed since launch, which critics say excludes much of London. Contributions may continue until age 50.
Related abbreviations
More astronomy & Space abbreviations
- kpc – Kiloparsec
- LCDM – Lambda cold dark matter
- LEM – Lunar Excursion Module
- LEO – Low Earth orbit
- LOX – Liquid oxygen
- LSST – Legacy Survey of Space and Time
- ly – Light-year
- M – Messier object
See all 83 astronomy & Space abbreviations →