In 1992, the NASA and the ASI orbited Lageos-2 (Laser Geodynamics Satellites), the successor to Lageos-1, aimed at precisely defining the shape of Earth, determining the movements of the tectonic plates due to the continental drift and measuring some general relativity parameters theorized by Einstein, with a 10% precision.
Lageos-2 was launched from the Space Shuttle Columbia’s cargo bay by the Iris (Italian Research Interim Stage) propulsion system.
Iris, which transferred Lageos-2 at an altitude of about 6000 km, was developed by Alenia and Snia Bpd (Fiat group) for the motor part.
