Russia is to launch the Spektr-UF ultraviolet observatory, also known as the World Space Observatory, into a highly elliptical orbit in 2010 under the 2006-2015 federal space program. The spacecraft's optical telescope will feature a 1.7-meter main mirror as well as high- and low-resolution spectrographs for photographing and recording the entire visible electromagnetic spectrum.
Scientists will therefore be able to obtain top-quality images of a diverse range of objects in the visible Universe and conduct the most in-depth observations to date. Experts have said the World Space Observatory (Spektr-UF) could become one of the most significant space projects of the next decade.
Russian project manager and Professor of Physics and Mathematics Boris Shustov, who heads the Institute of Astronomy at the Russian Academy of Sciences, said the observatory's huge potential would make it possible to obtain unique results in such areas as the physics of the early Universe, the evolutionary interdependence of galaxies and the intergalactic environment, the physics of hot stellar atmospheres, and the physics and chemistry of planetary atmospheres. "One should particularly emphasize the observatory's role in detecting the so-called dark matter of the Universe and unlocking its secrets because such dark matter can only be seen by large ultraviolet telescopes," said Shustov.
It should be noted in this connection that the Soviet Union had planned to implement a series of Spektr astrophysical projects in the 1990s. The Spektr-R (Radioastron) satellite was to have conducted radio-wave observations; the Spektr-RG was designed for X-Ray and gamma ray observations; and the Spektr-UF ultraviolet observatory was scheduled to lift off in 1997. Had this program been implemented, Russian science would have outpaced other countries in the field of extra-atmospheric research. Unfortunately, the Spektr-UF project was stalled because of the new Russian government's decision to reduce appropriations for science.
However, the situation has begun to improve in the last several years; notably, space science received 33% more money last year compared with 2004. The aforementioned three projects can be implemented because space science appropriations are to increase even more in 2006.
Work is proceeding apace to complete the Radioastron observatory and launch it next year. The Spektr-RG spacecraft is to lift off in 2008-2009 under the Russia-EU project Spektr-RG/eROSSITA/Lobster. And the Spektr-UF ultraviolet observatory will be launched in 2010.
NPO Lavochkin, a leading Russian space-probe manufacturer, is now developing the Navigator modular space platform for the three astrophysical projects. The new platform will weigh three times less than the 2,500 kg versatile instrument-laden Spektr observatory, which was created in the 1990s, and which could only lift off atop heavy and expensive Proton launch vehicles. Navigator-type platforms will be launched by the considerably cheaper Soyuz-2 medium-size rockets.
Soviet scientists had decided to develop the Spektr-UF ultraviolet observatory in the late 1980s, and an ultraviolet orbital telescope with an 80-centimeter main mirror operated successfully in near-Earth orbit between 1983 and 1989. The relevant experience made it possible to develop a prototype Spektr-UF observatory by 1993. This delayed project, intended to accomplish more sophisticated scientific objectives, will feature state-of-the-art technology. The Spektr-UF project has become more relevant due to the expected increase in demand for ultraviolet observations in the next decade and the lack of the required space platforms.
The $6 billion NASA Hubble Space Telescope, the most powerful and expensive extra-atmospheric ultraviolet observatory to date, loses about 50% of observation time due to its near-Earth orbit. The Russian telescope, however, will either be placed in an extremely elongated orbit with an apogee of 300,000 km or at the so-called libration point, which is the point of Earth-Sun gravitational equilibrium about 1.5 million km from the Earth. Consequently, it would become possible to minimize terrestrial and lunar interference during observations.
Moreover, the Hubble Space Telescope cannot conduct UHF observations due to a structural defect. But the Russian telescope, which is just as good as Hubble, would obtain spectrum bands for objects 20 times weaker than those being observed by the NASA telescope.
The Russian telescope is to play a unique role because the Hubble Space Telescope is expected to stop functioning in the next two years and because the United States does not plan to launch its Space Ultraviolet Observatory (SUVO) before 2020. Other countries have no intention of launching large ultraviolet telescopes either. In this situation, the world's astronomical community considers the Spektr-UF project to be a real godsend which would help eliminate gaps in ultraviolet astronomical observation [that appeared in the 1990s].
International project managers deserve special mention. This project will doubtless involve Germany, which is developing high-resolution spectrographs for the Spektr-UF observatory together with Russia. In addition, Spain and the Republic of South Africa are ready to contribute their antennas, transmitters and other ground infrastructure elements. The People's Republic of China, which has offered to launch the observatory, would like to receive a certain amount of observation time in return. This sounds like a good proposal because launch costs account for 20% of the project's total price estimate.
Experts at the European Space Agency recognize the value of this project, while U.S. scientists, who have also assessed it positively, have openly said that they cannot take part in the project because it vies with national research programs. It seems, however, that they will not be allowed to participate anyway.
Yury Zaitsev is an expert with the Space Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences.
