Astronomy:Spektr-M

From HandWiki
Short description: Russian scientific satellite
Spektr-M
Спектр-M
Millimetron
Mission typeSub-millimeter/FarIR
OperatorRussian Astro Space Center
Websitehttp://millimetron.ru/index.php/en/
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerNPO Lavochkin
Payload mass6,240 kg (13,757 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date2030 (planned)[1]
RocketAngara A5
Launch siteVostochny Site 1A
ContractorRoscosmos
Orbital parameters
Reference systemSun–Earth L2
RegimeHalo orbit
Main telescope
Diameter10 m (33 ft)
Wavelengths0.02 to 17mm
Spektr program
 

Spektr-M[2] (Russian: Спектр-M) is a proposed Russian scientific satellite with a 10 m (33 ft) sub-millimeter to far infrared space telescope. It is designed to be a successor to the Herschel Space Observatory, covering similar wave bands, and to look into chemical evolution in the universe, black hole horizon radiation, and dark energy investigation.[3] Spacecraft design documentation and prototyping is currently underway and expected to continue until 2023. Due to budget cuts in 2019, launch is not expected until 2030.[4][1]

Overview

The purpose of this mission is to study the universe in millimeter to far infra-red wavelengths. The Herschel mission did a similar job with a smaller dish of 3.5 m (11 ft), and this is a follow-up mission. The instruments are to be cooled with liquid helium to 4.5K for part of the mission, but sun shields will allow it to continue in a degraded mode once the coolant evaporates.

It will be placed in a halo orbit around the Sun–Earth L2 Lagrangian point.[5]

References

External links