Spektr-UV
Proposed ultraviolet space telescope
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Spektr-UV, also known as World Space Observatory-Ultraviolet (WSO-UV), is a proposed ultraviolet space telescope intended for work in the 115 nm to 315 nm wavelength range.[5][6] It is an international project led by Russia (Roscosmos), with participation from Spain and Japan. The launch had initially been planned for 2007, but has since been continually delayed;[7] as of May 2025[update], the launch is expected to take place no earlier than 2029 [8][9][10] atop an Angara A5M rocket from Vostochny Cosmodrome.[4]
Model of WSO-UV telescope during "Space Week" in Madrid, May 2011 | |
| Mission type | Space telescope |
|---|---|
| Operator | Russian Astro Space Center |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | NPO Lavochkin |
| Payload mass | 2,840 kg (6,261 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 2031 (proposed)[1][2][3] |
| Rocket | Angara A5M[4] |
| Launch site | Vostochny Site 1A |
| Contractor | Roscosmos |
| Main telescope | |
| Wavelengths | 115 to 315 nm |
Spektr program | |
Overview
The main instrument of the observatory is a 1.7-metre Ritchey–Chrétien telescope. The telescope will be equipped with the following instruments:
WSO-UV Spectrographs Unit (WUVS) (Russia/Japan)
The WUVS spectrographs assembly consists of four channels:
- Vacuum Ultraviolet Echelle Spectrograph, VUVES (Russia): The FUV high-resolution spectrograph (VUVES) provides echelle spectroscopy capabilities with high resolution (R ~ 50 000) in the 115–176 nm range.
- Ultraviolet Echelle Spectrograph, UVES (Russia): The NUV high-resolution spectrograph (UVES) provides echelle spectroscopy capabilities with R ~ 50 000 in the 174–310 nm range.
- Long-Slit Spectrograph, LSS (Russia): The Long-Slit Spectrograph (LSS) provides low resolution (R ~ 1000), long slit spectroscopy in the 115–305 nm range. The spatial resolution is better than 0.5 arcsec(0.1 arcsec as the best value).
- UV Spectrograph for observation of Earth-like Exoplanets, UVSPEX (Japan)
WSO-UV Field Camera Unit (FCU) (Russia/Spain)
The FCU has two channels, each fed by an independent pick off mirror:
- Field Camera Unit FUV channel (FCU/FUV) (Russia/Spain): The far UV (FUV) channel has capabilities for high resolution imaging through the MCP detector, scale 0,047 arcsec/pixel in 115–190 nm range.
- Field Camera Unit UVO channel (FCU/UVO) (Russia): The UV-optical (UVO) channel is designed for wide field imaging through the CCD detector, scale 0,146 arcsec/pixel in 185–810 nm range.
Proposed and former instruments
- Stellar Coronograph for Exoplanet Direct Imaging, SCEDI (NAOJ, Rikkyo University, Japan).
- HIRDES (High-Resolution Double Echelle Spectrograph): R~55000 spectroscopy of point sources in the 102–320 nm range (Germany). Germany exited the Spektr-UV programme due to financial problems, so Russia replaced HIRDES with WUVES.
- ISSIS (Imaging and Slitless Spectroscopy Instrument for Surveys) was being developed to carry out UV and optical diffraction limited imaging of astronomical objects. The ISSIS would have incorporated three channels: High Sensitivity Far-UV Channel: 120–200 nm; Channel for Surveys (FUV): 120–600 nm, optimized for 120–270 nm; Channel for Surveys (UVO): 120–600 nm, optimized for 270–600 nm (Spain). Due to financial problems, Spain canceled ISSIS, and limited participation in Spektr-UV program to ground segment and supply of detectors for FCU. Russia replaced ISSIS with FCU.
History
Participating nations
Spektr-UV is an international project led by Russia (Roscosmos). At present the international cooperation includes three basic participants: Russia (will provide the telescope, spacecraft, launch facilities, ground segment); Spain (FCU detectors, ground segment); Japan (UVSPEX).