# Spektr-RG

> Russian–German X-ray observatory

**Wikidata**: [Q2060715](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2060715)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spektr-RG)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/spektr-rg

## Summary
Spektr-RG is a Russian–German X-ray observatory launched in 2019 to map the entire sky in X-ray wavelengths. It operates from the L2 Earth-Sun Lagrangian point and carries two scientific instruments: eROSITA and ART-XC.

## Key Facts
- Launched on July 13, 2019, at 12:30:57 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/24
- Weighs 2,712.5 kg at launch (1,210 kg payload weight)
- Designed for a 6.5-year mission lifetime
- Operated by Roscosmos State Corporation (Russia) and German Aerospace Center (Germany)
- Carries two scientific instruments: eROSITA (Max Planck Institute) and ART-XC (Russian institutes)
- Positioned at the L2 Earth-Sun Lagrangian point
- Follows Spektr-R and precedes World Space Observatory in the Spektr program
- Built by NPO Lavochkin with contributions from multiple subcontractors

## FAQs
### Q: What is Spektr-RG's main purpose?
A: Spektr-RG is designed to create a complete X-ray map of the sky, studying galaxy clusters, active galactic nuclei, and other high-energy cosmic phenomena.

### Q: Who operates Spektr-RG?
A: Spektr-RG is operated jointly by Roscosmos State Corporation (Russia) and the German Aerospace Center (Germany).

### Q: Where is Spektr-RG located?
A: Spektr-RG orbits at the L2 Earth-Sun Lagrangian point, approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth.

## Why It Matters
Spektr-RG represents a major international collaboration in space-based X-ray astronomy, combining Russian launch capabilities and spacecraft design with German scientific instrumentation. By mapping the entire X-ray sky, it enables astronomers to study the large-scale structure of the universe, dark matter distribution, and the evolution of supermassive black holes. The observatory's all-sky survey provides a unique dataset that complements other space telescopes and ground-based observations, helping scientists understand cosmic evolution and the fundamental physics of high-energy processes in the universe.

## Notable For
- First Russian–German space observatory collaboration
- Complete X-ray sky mapping capability
- Dual-instrument design with complementary energy ranges
- Extended 6.5-year mission lifetime
- L2 orbit enabling continuous sky observation

## Body
### Mission Overview
Spektr-RG is a space observatory designed for X-ray astronomy, launched on July 13, 2019, aboard a Proton-M rocket with a Blok DM-03 upper stage. The mission represents a collaboration between Russia and Germany, with the spacecraft built by NPO Lavochkin and scientific instruments provided by German and Russian institutions.

### Technical Specifications
The observatory has a launch mass of 2,712.5 kg, with a payload weight of 1,210 kg. It is powered by two solar arrays providing 1,805 watts of power. The spacecraft uses the Navigator bus and carries two main scientific instruments: eROSITA and ART-XC.

### Scientific Instruments
eROSITA (extended ROentgen Survey with an Imaging Telescope Array) was developed by the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics and provides high-resolution X-ray imaging. ART-XC (Astronomical Roentgen Telescope - X-ray Concentrator) was developed by the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Experimental Physics and the Russian Space Research Institute, covering higher energy X-ray ranges.

### Orbit and Operations
Spektr-RG operates from the L2 Earth-Sun Lagrangian point, where it maintains a stable position relative to Earth and the Sun. This location allows for continuous sky observation without Earth's shadow interference. The observatory has a planned orbital period of one year and a design life of 6.5 years.

### Program Context
Spektr-RG follows the Spektr-R radio astronomy satellite and precedes the proposed World Space Observatory in the Russian Spektr program of space observatories. The mission continues Russia's tradition of space-based astronomical observatories while incorporating significant German scientific contributions.

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## References

1. [Source](https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/s/spektrg-srg)
2. [Source](http://srg.iki.rssi.ru/?page_id=2)
3. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/spektr-rg.htm)
4. Jonathan's Space Report
5. [Source](http://www.russianspaceweb.com/spektr_rg.html)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. [Source](http://srg.iki.rssi.ru/?page_id=2&lang=ru)
8. [Source](https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/07/13/russia-launches-international-x-ray-astronomy-mission/)
9. [Source](http://srg.iki.rssi.ru/?page_id=676&lang=en)