A space observatory for astrophysical explorations in the REALM of gamma-ray astronomy

Abstract

The efficiency of space observations is largely determined by the characteristics of a satellite carrying the research instrumentation. The present paper is concerned with the major characteristics of a space observatory, 'GAMMA-1', currently being developed for the purpose of ?-ray astronomical observations.As to its design arrangement, the observatory consists of five modules: a (small) research equipment module: REM S; a (large) research equipment module: REM L; an adapter module: AM; an instrument module: IM; and the service module: SM. The modules REM L, IM, AM, REM S are integrated with each other to form a single air-tight compartment. The general lay-out of the space vehicle, the arrangement of the modules, and a diagram showing the exact location of the sensors comprised by the spacecraft motion control system are given in Figure 1.The mass of the observatory is 7100 kg, the length is 7750 mm, and the maximum diameter is 2720 ram.