Astronomical satellite is a spacecraft designed to conduct astronomical observations from space. The need for this type of observatory arose due to the fact that the Earth's atmosphere delays the gamma, x-ray and ultraviolet radiation of space objects, as well as most of the infrared radiation .
Space telescopes are equipped with devices for collecting and focusing radiation, as well as data conversion and transmission systems, an orientation system, and sometimes motor systems. The first successful orbital telescope was the Soviet satellite [1] , launched on April 19, 1968 , and the second was launched on December 7 of the same year, the American satellite OAO -2, its predecessor OAO-1, Launched on April 8, 1966, it also carried astronomical instruments, but it was not possible to obtain results with their help [2] . Many significant scientific results were obtained using the Hubble telescope, launched on April 24, 1990.
See also
- List of Observatory Codes
- List of spacecraft with x-ray and gamma detectors on board
- List of Space Telescopes
Notes
- ↑ Petrov G. I. Development of space research // Bulletin of the USSR Academy of Sciences . - 1969. - No. 5 . - S. 65-71 .
- ↑ Tokovinin, 1986 .
Literature
- Tokovinin AA Orbital optical telescopes . - M .: Knowledge , 1986.- 64 p. - (New in life, science, technology. Ser. "Cosmonautics, astronomy"; No. 11).