  Current observations of the universe have strengthened the interest to
further test General Relativity and other theories of fundamental physics.
After an introduction to the phenomenon of frame-dragging predicted by
Einstein's theory of General Relativity, with fundamental astrophysical
applications to rotating black holes, we describe the past measurements of
frame-dragging obtained by the LAGEOS satellites and by the dedicated Gravity
Probe B space mission. We also discuss a test of String Theories of
Chern-Simons type that has been carried out using the results of the LAGEOS
satellites. We then describe the LARES space experiment. LARES was successfully
launched in February 2012 to improve the accuracy of the tests of
frame-dragging, it can also improve the test of String Theories. We present the
results of the first few months of observations of LARES, its orbital analyses
show that it has the best agreement of any other satellite with the
test-particle motion predicted by General Relativity. We finally briefly report
the accurate studies and the extensive simulations of the LARES space
experiment, confirming an accuracy of a few percent in the forthcoming
measurement of frame-dragging.
