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Spektr-UF (Spektr-UV, SUV, World Space Observatory Ultraviolet, WSO-UV)

Spektr-UF [Lavochkin]

Spektr-UF (also known as Spektr-UV or SUV) is a UV space observatory mission. The mission is led by Russia, but involves multiple international partners. The mission is also known as World Space Observatory Ultraviolet (WSO-UV).

The Spektr-UF project is led by Russia (Roskosmos) with international cooperation including three basic participants: Russia (provides the telescope, spacecraft, launch facilities, ground segment), Spain (ISSIS, ground segment) and Germany (spectrographs).

Originally the satellite was to be built on the Spektr bus, a derivative of the Prognoz-EW-Bus and to be launched on a Proton-K Blok-DM-2 booster, but budget problems have forced a redesign. Now it will be based on the smaller Navigator bus and was to be launched on a Zenit-3F combination.

The main instrument is the T-170M 1.7-meter Ritchey-Chretien telescope, a lighter version of the originally planned T-170 telescope. It was to be equipped with three instruments:

  • HIRDES (High-Resolution Double Echelle Spectrograph): R~55000 spectroscopy of point sources in the 102-320 nm range (Germany)
  • LSS: Long-slit low-resolution (R~2500) spectroscopy in the 102-320 nm range
  • ISSIS (Imaging and Slitless Spectroscopy Instrument for Surveys) being developed to carry out UV and optical diffraction limited imaging of astronomical objects. The ISSIS incorporates 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)

The international contributions were cancelled following the Russian attack on Ukraine and are to be replaced by Russian instruments.

The future of this project is uncertain. Originally a launch in May 2021 is planned. A switch to a Proton-M Blok-DM-03 launch vehicle is likely, as the Zenit-3F will be most probably phased out long before the planned launch date. It will be placed into a geosynchronous orbit with an inclination of 51.6°. Later the launch vehicle was changed to a Angara-A5 Persei. In May 2019, a launch date in October 2025 was announced, slipping to 2028. In December 2023, the launch date was postponed to 2030 due to lack of funding.

Nation: Russia, Germany, Italy, Ukraine, Hungary, Spain
Type / Application: Astronomy, UV
Operator: Roskosmos
Contractors: NPO Lavochkin
Equipment: T-170M 1.7-meter Ritchey-Chretien telescope, HIRDES, LSS, ISSIS
Configuration: Navigator-Bus
Propulsion:
Power: 2 deploayable solar arrays, batteries
Lifetime: 7 years
Mass: 2840 kg
Orbit: geosynchronous orbit, 51.6°
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
Spektr-UF (Spektr-UV, SUV) - 2030 Pl LC-35/1 Angara-A5 Persei

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