Unique astrophysical observatory “Spektr-R” has been launched today from Baikonur launching site. The research programme is called “RadioAstron”.

      The international orbital astrophysical observatory “RadioAstron” is aimed at exploring and observing various objects in our Universe with extremely high angular resolution centimeter and decimeter wavelength ranges. Such resolution is provided by a space radio-telescope with diameter of 10 meters, using terrestrial radio-telescope in interferometer mode.

      The telescope will study galaxy nuclei, supermassive black holes, particles acceleration, magnetic fields, cosmic rays and many other things. The telescope is expected to be active for not less than 5 years.

      Source: Science & Technologies