Next Generation Space VLBI

Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, 3–1–1 Yoshinodai, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 229-8510, Japan

Abstract

HALCA, the first dedicated satellite for space VLBI, was launched in February 1997, and VSOP observations have been successfully undertaken at 1.6 and 5 GHz. The near-future VSOP-2 mission is planned to have frequency bands of 8, 22, and 43 GHz, with dual polarization, a 1 Gbps downlink bit-rate, and a phase-referencing capability. The mission proposal was submitted to ISAS/JAXA in September 2003, with the earliest possible launch, if approved, in 2012. There must be other missions farther into the future, and mm and sub-mm space VLBI must be realized as the ultimate high resolution imaging instrument over the electro-magnetic spectrum. ALMA and SKA can also play important roles for space VLBI.