China to launch its version of Hubble telescope

Beijing, June 6: Chinese authorities have planned to launch an independent optical facility, the function of which will be similar to the Hubble telescope.

The optical cabin's field of view will be 300 times as large as that of the Hubble and it will be connected with a soon to be launched space station, said Gu Yidong, technology consultant of China's manned space flight project and academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

"Currently, China has planned a series of scientific research platforms and facilities for the space station. The optical cabin is the biggest confirmed project so far," Gu Yidong explained.

The caliber of the telescope is about 2 metres, and its resolution is near that of the Hubble, the People's Daily reported on Monday.

The optical cabin will conduct heterochromatic photometry and slitless spectroscopy sky surveys.

According to Gu, the optical cabin will boast an unprecedented observational depth and resolution.

The cabin will stay in orbit with the space station, and will connect to the station when it needs maintenance or upgrades.

China's space station is expected to be completed in 2020 which will be used for a wide variety of scientific research.

IANS