The next generation space VLBI project, VSOP-2

Abstract

Abstract. The first dedicated space-VLBI project, the VLBI Space Observatory Programme (VSOP), commenced with the successful launch of radio-astronomical satellite HALCA in 1997. Plans for a second generation space-VLBI project have been made by a working group over a number of years. This project, VSOP-2, has now been approved by Japan's space agency, JAXA, as the ASTRO-G project. It is planned for the spacecraft to observe in the 8, 22 and 43 GHz bands with cooled receivers for the two higher bands, which include important maser lines. It will have a maximum angular resolution at 43 GHz (7 mm) of about 40 micro-arcseconds. Although the VSOP project mainly observed continuum emission from active galactic nuclei (AGN), VSOP-2/ASTRO-G is expected to enable a variety of high angular resolution maser line observations.

Diffractive X-Ray Telescopes

“…Consequently Sgr A* cannot be observed with the highest resolution. The Japanese-led Astro-G/VSOP-2 mission will go down to 7 mm in wavelength [51] and so be less affected by interstellar scattering (which is proportional to λ 2 , as indicated by the dashed line in Fig, 8), but with the maximum baseline limited by an apogee of only 25,000 km the best resolution will be 38 µ . Astro-G launch has been delayed until at least 2013 due to technical problems with the deployable dish.…”