International orbital laboratory “Spektr-Rentgen-Gamma” (Spectrum-X-Gamma), which is scheduled for launch in 2011, will help scientists to discover 100 thousands of various galaxies and solve the mystery of the dark matter, reported the official from the Institute for Space Research during the “High-Energy Astrophysics: State-of-the-art and Perspectives 2006” conference.
      
      “Scientific goal of “Spektr-RG” project is performing survey of the whole sky with highest sensitivity, energy and angular resolution, as well as studying physics of X-ray radiation”, said the scientist.
      
      The project is included in Federal space programme for 2006-2015 and already has a modern launch vehicle “Souyz-2”, transfer orbit stage “Fregat” and “Navigator” platform. The observatory will be launched to its near-earth circular orbit 600 km high from Baikonur launching site.
      
      “Navigator” platform will host three units: eROSITA – European X-ray reflecting telescope for day-and-night survey of the starry heaven, Russian ART-XC device for spectroscopy and time analysis of galactic and extragalactic radiation and British monitor “Lobster” for studying X-ray radiation of comets and distant stars, which will measure power spectra of 100 galactic nuclei.
      
      “Spektr-RG” operating life is 7 years, however scientists expect it to work for about 10 years.
      
      Source: Science News