Microvariability and Oscillations of STars telescope
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The Microvariability and Oscillations of STars telescope or the MOST space observatory is Canada's first and only space telescope. It is also the smallest space telescope in the world. It was launched on June 30, 2003 by a ROCKOT system at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia. As its name suggests, its primary mission is to monitor variations in star light by staying on a single target for a long period of time (up to 60 days). Larger space telescopes cannot afford to remain focussed on a single target.
At 60 kg (about 122 pounds) 65 cm wide and tall (2 feet each) and 30 cm (1 foot) deep it is the size and weight of a small chest or an extra large suitcase filled with electronics. This places it in the micro satellite category.
The satellite has been a joint effort of the Canadian Space Agency, Dynacon Enterprises Limited, the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies and the University of British Columbia. It cost less than $10 million in Canadian funds (about 7 million Euros or 6 million USD, at exchange rates at time of launch) and is currently helping date the age of the universe. It also hunts for extrasolar planets.
It features a 15 cm instrument stabilized by reaction wheels (similar to gyroscopes) that are the size of soup cans.
The satellite is managed by the Canadian Space Agency's Space Science Branch under its Small Payloads Program. It is expected to last for about five years.
Trivia
Canadian media has referred to this as the humble space telescope, to contrast it with the Hubble Space Telescope.
External links
- MOST: Canada's First Space Telescope (http://www.astro.ubc.ca/MOST/)
- UTIAS Space Flight Laboratory (http://www.utias-sfl.net/)
- Canadian Space Agency - MOST (http://www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/satellites/most.asp)de:MOST (Satellit)