The Russian astrophysical observatory “Spektr-M” has reached the final orbit, Roscosmos’ press-service reports. AEX.ru
The scientific spacecraft has separated from the “Fregat-SB” upper stage at 10.06 Moscow time. The satellite has been placed at the elliptic orbit with height of about 340 thousand kilometers. The “Zenit-3M” rocket carrier with “Fregat-SB” upper stage and “Spektr-M” spacecraft has been launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 18th at 6.31 Moscow time.
“Spektr-M” spacecraft, developed within the frameworks of “Radioastron” project in the network of Federal space program, is intended for examination of galaxies and quasars in radio-frequency region, studying the black holes and neutron stars in the Milky Way and regions, immediately adjacent to massive black holes. In addition, the scientists intend to obtain information regarding pulsars and interstellar plasma, using the observatory.
It is planned that “Spektr-R” will be working in the orbit not less than 5 years.
The spacecraft has been manufactured by NPO Lavochkin. The scientific equipment has been developed by Physical Institute’s Astro Space Center of Russian Academy of Sciences and its foreign partners.
