 Diagram of theAstron observatory | |
| Mission type | Astrophysics |
|---|---|
| Operator | Soviet space program CNES |
| COSPAR ID | 1983-020A |
| SATCATno. | 13901 |
| Mission duration | 8 years |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | 4MV[1] |
| Manufacturer | NPO Lavochkin |
| Launch mass | 3,250 kg (7,170 lb)[2] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 23 March 1983 12:45 (1983-03-23UTC12:45) UTC |
| Rocket | Proton-K/D-1 |
| Launch site | Baikonur200/39 |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Decommissioned |
| Deactivated | 23 March 1991 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | High Earth |
| Semi-major axis | 108,531 km (67,438 mi)[3] |
| Eccentricity | 0.6575927[4] |
| Perigee altitude | 30,791 km (19,133 mi)[3] |
| Apogee altitude | 173,530.2 km (107,826.7 mi)[3] |
| Inclination | 48.4°[3] |
| Period | 5,930.5 minutes[3] |
| Mean motion | 0.24281115 rev/day[4] |
| Epoch | 19 July 2017 07:25:15 UTC |
| Main telescope | |
| Collecting area | 0.17 m2 (1.8 sq ft)[1] |
| Wavelengths | X-ray: 2–25 keV[1] Ultraviolet: 150–350nm |
Astron was aSovietspace telescope launched on 23 March 1983 at 12:45:06UTC, using theProton-K rocket.[5] Based on the4MV spacecraft design and operational for six years, Astron was the largestultraviolet space telescope of its time.
The project was headed byAlexandr Boyarchuk.[6][7][8] The spacecraft was designed and constructed by theCrimean Astrophysical Observatory andNPO Lavochkin. A group of scientists from these institutions was awarded theUSSR State Prize for their work.[9]
The payload consisted of an 80 cm ultraviolet telescope, which was jointly designed by the USSR and France, and anX-ray spectroscope.[10] It could take UV spectra 150-350 nm.[11]
Placed into an orbit with anapogee of 185,000 kilometres (115,000 mi), Astron was capable of making observations outside the Earth'sumbra andradiation belt.
Among the most important observations made by Astron were those ofSN 1987A supernova from March 4 to March 12, 1987,[12] and ofHalley's Comet in December 1985, the latter of which enabled a group of Soviet scientists to develop a model of the comet'scoma.[11]
Operation of the observatory ended on 23 March 1991.[13]
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