“Spektr-UF” project

The “Spektr-UF” project is intended for the design and development of a large space observatory operating in the ultraviolet (UV) band of the spectrum inaccessible for survey from the surface of the Earth. The main observatory instrument is a space telescope T-170M with a primary mirror 1.7 m in diameter; it will be equipped with high and low resolution spectrographs and cameras for high-quality UV imaging. In respect of capabilities, the project is similar to the American Hubble Space Telescope (HST), and exceeds the latter in some parameters. The project is included in the Russian Federal Space Program for the period 2006–2015. The launch is planned for 2016. The project is under development by the Lavochkin Association in cooperation with the Institute of Astronomy, Russian Academy of Sciences.