On the verge of fiasco: Roscosmos nearly lost the Spektr-RG observatory
There are many obstacles to the development of Russian fundamental science. This is both a lack of funding and Western sanctions, which impede access to foreign high technology, and domestic gagging. On the eve, it turned out that a unique astrophysical observatory with a discharged battery was almost sent to space.
Yesterday, June 21, the launch of the Proton-M launch vehicle, which was supposed to launch the unique Russian-German Observatory Spektr-RG, designed to study the Universe in the X-ray spectrum, failed on Baikonur. At the last moment it turned out that the problem was not in Proton, but in its scientific load:
What is Spectrum-RG?
The idea to compose a map of the starry sky in x-rays arose in Soviet times. In the nineties, the financing of the scientific project “Spectrum-RG” was carried out on a residual basis. As a result, the Spectr-R observatory was the first to be launched, also with a large lag behind the planned dates. After losing contact with Spectrum-R on January 10, 2019, on May 30, it was decided to complete this project.
In total, in this research series, it is planned to create four devices: “Spectr-UV” and “Spectr-M” will follow. Now it’s the turn of Spectra-RG. The project involves the IRI RAS and the Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics of the Max Planck Society from Germany. The spacecraft is equipped with the domestic ART-XC radio telescope and the European eROSITA. By agreement between the parties, Russia will receive only 50% of the data obtained with the help of a foreign partner.
Academician of the RAS Rashid Sunyaev explains why I had to agree to such conditions:
It turned out that domestic mirrors for the telescope were of insufficient quality, and could not fully replace the American ones. One of the reasons for the delay in the implementation of an ambitious scientific project was the need to wait for the delivery of eROSITA from the EU. The second reason is the forced abandonment of the Ukrainian Zenit, which were supposed to be used for launch. Now, Spektr-RG will fly on the Russian Proton.
The launch date is postponed to July 12. It remains to be glad that the problem with the battery was installed before the start, and not after. Otherwise, it could be a complete fiasco, which would finally destroy the reputation of the Russian space industry.
Yesterday, June 21, the launch of the Proton-M launch vehicle, which was supposed to launch the unique Russian-German Observatory Spektr-RG, designed to study the Universe in the X-ray spectrum, failed on Baikonur. At the last moment it turned out that the problem was not in Proton, but in its scientific load:
During the pre-launch checks, problems were discovered in the electrical system of the spacecraft, we are talking about a discharged satellite battery.
What is Spectrum-RG?
The idea to compose a map of the starry sky in x-rays arose in Soviet times. In the nineties, the financing of the scientific project “Spectrum-RG” was carried out on a residual basis. As a result, the Spectr-R observatory was the first to be launched, also with a large lag behind the planned dates. After losing contact with Spectrum-R on January 10, 2019, on May 30, it was decided to complete this project.
In total, in this research series, it is planned to create four devices: “Spectr-UV” and “Spectr-M” will follow. Now it’s the turn of Spectra-RG. The project involves the IRI RAS and the Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics of the Max Planck Society from Germany. The spacecraft is equipped with the domestic ART-XC radio telescope and the European eROSITA. By agreement between the parties, Russia will receive only 50% of the data obtained with the help of a foreign partner.
Academician of the RAS Rashid Sunyaev explains why I had to agree to such conditions:
ART XC itself is a useful addition to eRozite, but the expected results are much more modest.
It turned out that domestic mirrors for the telescope were of insufficient quality, and could not fully replace the American ones. One of the reasons for the delay in the implementation of an ambitious scientific project was the need to wait for the delivery of eROSITA from the EU. The second reason is the forced abandonment of the Ukrainian Zenit, which were supposed to be used for launch. Now, Spektr-RG will fly on the Russian Proton.
The launch date is postponed to July 12. It remains to be glad that the problem with the battery was installed before the start, and not after. Otherwise, it could be a complete fiasco, which would finally destroy the reputation of the Russian space industry.
Information