VSOP-2 Overview and US Role

The VLBI Space Observatory Programme-2 (VSOP-2) is an international Space Very Long Baseline Interferometry (Space VLBI) mission based on the Japanese-led ASTRO-G program. ASTRO-G has been approved for launch in early 2013 by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Funding for the Japanese portion of the mission is provided by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT); space and ground elements of the mission in Japan are led by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan NAOJ. Proposed US participation in VSOP-2 includes a US Science Team, science telemetry (tracking) station(s), precision orbit determination, and co-observing by the Very Long Baseline Array. More specific details about the VSOP-2 mission, the mission science, and the proposed US role may be found via the links provided on the left.