Spektr-R - a new radio telescope! Options

[GEmin1]

- The H-maser (atomic clock) was turned on and internal test
has shown that the clock works properly, its stability
is reported to be within the specs.
- Tests of "VIRK", the system which includes high-gain 1.5-m
diameter antennae and is used to contact with the tracking station
in Pushchino, continue. The so-called "open loop", the tone signal
at 8 GHz, was successfully detected in Pushchino and is being used
to perform Doppler measurements of the orbit parameters.
The 15 GHz tone signal was also successfully detected.
- Today, the first system temperature measurements were
performed for the Australian-made 18 cm astronomical receiver
while the space telescope was pointed on a cold sky;
the system temperature is estimated to be about 42 K
which is close to receiver's specifications.

Plans for the near future:
- VIRK pointing correction measurements and 15 GHz data link tests,
- performance measurements for all the other astronomical receivers
of the 92, 6, and 1.3 cm bands,
- Cassiopea A first light single-dish radio astronomical observations
including space radio telescope efficiency measurements.

http://www.asc.rssi.ru/radioastron/news/news.html