Russian Space Program: News & Discussion #5

Spektr-RG discovered 130 previously unknown x-ray sources

These new sources of X-ray waves were discovered by Russian scientists while preparing a new version of the catalog of objects studied with the ART-XC telescope during the first phase of Spektra-RG operation from December 2019 to March 2022

MOSCOW, May 17. /TASS/. Astronomers have prepared a catalog of 1.5 thousand X-ray objects studied by the ART-XC telescope on board the Russian orbital observatory Spektr-RG, which allowed scientists to immediately discover 130 unknown sources of X-ray waves, the existence of which astronomers previously did not know. The press service of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences reported this on Friday.

"The catalog includes 1,545 X-ray sources, about 10% of which are new objects of particular scientific interest. The catalog contains many other interesting objects: accreting neutron stars and black holes, stars with hot coronas, supernova remnants, galaxy clusters ", the message says.

These new sources of X-ray waves were discovered by Russian scientists while preparing a new version of the catalog of objects studied with the ART-XC telescope during the first phase of Spektra-RG operation from December 2019 to March 2022, when the orbital observatory compiled the most detailed X-ray map yet sky.

Scientists recently completed an analysis of data collected over five cycles of observations of the night sky, allowing astronomers to expand the previously published catalog of X-ray objects found by ART-XC in the first year of Spectra-RG operation. This catalog includes more than 1.5 thousand objects, including 900 active galactic nuclei, as well as two hundred cataclysmic variables, exotic double star systems, one of the luminaries in which carries the matter of the second star.

These objects, as the researchers note, are of particular interest to astronomers, since their subsequent study will help to understand how often these X-ray sources are found in regions of the Universe close to us and what typical properties they have. Of no less interest are 130 previously unknown sources of X-ray radiation, the subsequent study of which will significantly enrich scientists’ understanding of which space objects are capable of producing high-energy X-ray photons.

About the Spektr-RG observatory

The Spektr-RG spacecraft was developed at the NPO named after. S. A. Lavochkina (part of Roscosmos). It was created with the participation of Germany as part of the Russian federal space program, commissioned by the Russian Academy of Sciences. At the end of October 2019, it successfully reached the operational orbit located at the L2 point.

The Spektr-RG orbital observatory has two X-ray mirror telescopes: the German eROSITA and the Russian ART-XC named after. M. N. Pavlinsky. At the end of February 2022, the German side, due to the situation in Ukraine, turned off its telescope, switching it to safe mode.

Moscow. July 2. INTERFAX.RU - The launch of the first scientific and power module (SPM) for the Russian orbital station (ROS) is planned for the fourth quarter of 2027 using the modernized heavy launch vehicle Angara-A5M, according to Roscosmos materials.

According to the ROS construction schedule published in the state corporation's video, the first manned flight to the ROS is planned for the fourth quarter of 2028. The cargo mission on the Soyuz 2.1b rocket to the station is scheduled for January 2028.

Earlier on Tuesday, Roscosmos announced the signing of contracts for the creation of the ROS, and the CEO of the state corporation, Yuri Borisov, approved the general schedule for its construction.

He noted that Russia cannot allow a break in the manned space program, given the state of the International Space Station.

"Also today, government contracts were signed for the implementation of experimental design work on the creation of the ROS space complex and the space complex with a manned transport ship and a heavy-class launch vehicle "Angara" at the Vostochny Cosmodrome," Roscosmos said.

According to the state corporation, the deployment of the station is planned to begin with the launch of the scientific and energy module in 2027. Also, at the first stage, up to 2030, the nodal and gateway modules will be sent into space, then the base module will be launched, which will take over the functions of managing the station. The second stage provides for the docking of two more target modules in the period from 2031 to 2033.

Roscosmos reported that “the total planned funding volume for the project is 608.9 billion rubles.”

On April 17, Borisov announced that the first launch of the modernized heavy launch vehicle "Angara-A5M" with a ship in an unmanned version will take place in 2027, it will be carried out from the Vostochny Cosmodrome.

On April 15, the head of the state corporation reported that the promising new-generation transport ship (PTK NP) "Orel" is in the final stage of construction. According to him, this ship will deliver crews to the ROS. The ship will be launched into orbit by the heavy-class rocket "Angara-A5M" from the Vostochny Cosmodrome.

The scientific and testing complex of NPO Energomash successfully completed testing of the RD-191M development engines.

The single-chamber liquid engine is designed for the heavy-class launch vehicle Angara-A5M of the Amur space rocket complex. The RD-191M runs on kerosene and liquid oxygen.

When creating the RD-191M, the design and technological base of the RD-191, RD-171M, RD-180 and RD-181 engines was used to the maximum extent. This significantly reduced development costs and made it possible to create and conduct a full cycle of autonomous tests of its units in a shorter time frame. The first RD-191M development engine was manufactured at NPO Energomash at the end of 2023.

The RD-191M differs from the "base" RD-191 engine primarily in its thrust level - it is boosted by 10%. In the future, this will expand the possibilities for sending cargo for the new Russian orbital station being designed.

PapaDragon wrote:
I lost track of model numbers, which platform is this new engine for?

flamming_python wrote:Sounds good

But the main thing is that they don't try to hammer in the sensor upside-down this time.