Astronomy Lab Plans $1 Billion Satellite

The Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, in conjunction with NASA, has begun developing an approximately $1 billion space satellite telescope--one of the nation's most significant space projects in this decade.

The Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Faculty (AXAF), an orbital observatory for detailed long range study of x-ray emmissions in space, should be under construction by 1987 and is expected to be operational from 1990 to 2005, said Associate Director of the Center for Astrophysics Harvey D. Tananbaum, head of the project.

Aside from focusing on galaxies never examined before, the telescope will use advanced x-ray techniques to provide information on a host of celestial mysteries, ranging from black holes to the origin of the universe.

While the project has not received official approval from Congress, it has reached far into the planning stages and scientists working closely on the satellite say approval is very likely.

Congress considers the satellite a high-priority project and has already appropriated preliminary funding, said George Newton. NASA's director for advanced programs in astrophysics.

The 10-ton, 45-foot long AXAF will travel into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle to an altitude of about 288 miles, where the high resolution x-ray telescope will orbit the earth. Its highly sensitive eye will include instruments for detection and spectral analysis.

Among other phenomena, it will examine quasars, black holes, supernovae and galaxies yet unexplored "from the moons of Jupiter to the outer stretches of the universe," Tananbaum said.

The project is part of a long range government drive to upgrade the country's astrophysics capabilities, Newton said, adding that the AXAF project could revolutionize the study of space.

"We lost an ear when space funding ran into trouble recently," Tanabaum said. Since the Space Shuttle has dominated the NASA budget over the past several years, "leading to a backlog of other high quality programs."

"We've been studying this for seven years, and now it's our turn to come to bat," he added.

NASA selected the Harvard Center to assist in designing the spacecraft primarily because of its experience in similar projects, namely designing and operating the Einstein observatory, Newton said.

The Einstein Observatory, which orbited the Earth from 1978-1981, was a less powerful prototype of AXAF. It provided scientific access to previously unseen areas of space.

AXAF, 100 times more powerful, will "live" five times as long and will produce clearer, more accurate pictures, Tananbaum said.

Scientists at other universities said that Harvard faced little or no competition for oversight role in NASA's selection process.

"It's in all of our interests to have these people involved," said Claude R. Canizares, '67 of the Center for Space Research at MIT. adding. "It's not only natural, but we're glad that the people with the experience are keeping NASA moving in the right direction."

The Center will also assist NASA in selecting a corporation to construct the craft and will help select specific instrument designs from proposals submitted by universities and institutions across the country.

Each proposal will receive anywhere from $10 to $50 million in funding. Tananbaum said, adding that NASA and the Center will judge the proposals based on technological and pragmatic approach merits.

Scientists at the Center have submitted four proposals, he added. "I'm optimistic that some of them will be accepted," he said. "We'll definitely play a major role because of our unique position, but the scientists [at the Center] will play a much bigger role if selected in the competition."

"There is a healthy degree of competition," MIT's Canizares said, adding, "Its good for the field. You cannot think you're the only shoe in town, and I don't mean just on the Charles either."

The Satellite will be commercially built once the scientists reach a final design.

While in orbit it will undergo Space Shuttle service calls to allow it to periodically receive new, state-of-the-art technology.