Zenith brings unique astrophysical observatory Spectrum-R in space

Spectrum-R is the first Russian automatic astrophysical observatory for the last 25 years that will enable the scientists to observe remote extragalactic objects in the radiofrequency spectrum of the electromagnetic waves with a super high resolution, a source in the Russian Academy of Sciences told Itar-Tass. The radio interferometry technology will enable to achieve a new unique data about the nature of the Universe, the project authors believe.

An unusual orbit, which takes into account a major role of the lunar gravitation, was picked up for the space radio telescope. "This is an elliptic orbit with a rotation period of about 9.5 days and the maximum distance of 350,000 kilometers from the Earth that is to say closely to the orbit of the Moon," the experts explained. Though the Moon is situated quite far from the observatory-satellite that is 50,000 kilometers away, however, the Moon has a weak gravitational impact on the observatory. The orbit inclination provides a high resolution of the image of a celestial body monitored in all directions.

"This is a very interesting launch, because such a 'smart' orbit was found. Under the gravitational impact of the Moon the orbit will change its angle, thanks to which the Spectrum-R telescope will be scanning the space," the chief of the Lavochkin Research and Production Association Viktor Khartov said.

The project applies the radio interferometry. The space telescope will operate jointly with the radio telescopes on the Earth, thus creating a common system of an interferometer to receive the images, coordinates and angular movements of various objects in the Universe with a very high resolution.

The project authors believe that this interferometer will be able to achieve a new unique data about the nature of the Universe. "We will be able to observe very remote parts of the Universe and to receive a highly accurate data about various galactic phenomena. The scientists in the whole world are looking forward for this," Khartov said with confidence.

All ground radio telescopes, which will be engaged in the interferometer, will receive the signals from the scanned object simultaneously with the space radio telescope. The data will be transferred from the satellite at a speed of 128 Mb per second. The data reception stations are situated in the United States (Green Bank), Pushchino outside Moscow and Australia (Tidbinbilla).