Gravitational wave detectors: First astrophysical results and path to next generation

After several years of construction and commissioning, LIGO, GEO600 and Virgo gravitational waves detectors have reached or exceeded their foreseen sensitivities and have been in operation for a few years. Even if a first detection remains unlikely with these sensitivities, meaningful results from the astrophysical point of view have been obtained on gamma-ray bursts or pulsars for example. For the current joint scientific run of LSC (LIGO Scientific Collaboration) and Virgo collaborations, the "multi-messenger" approach has been reinforced and, in particular, online searches have been implemented in order to trigger external observations by satellites or telescopes.Upgrades to the next generation of these detectors have started. With expected sensitivity increases of a factor 10, we expect GW detections to be frequent and the "multi-messenger" strategy will be fruitful when these next-generation detectors begin data collection in 2015.