Russian New Generation VLBI Network

Dmitry Ivanov, Alexander Ipatov, Dmitry Marshalov, Gennadiy Ilin, Iskander Gayazov, Evgeny Khvostov, Andrey Mikhailov, Sergey Kurdubov, Sergey Serzhanov, Ilia Bezrukov, Viktor Stempkovsky, Alexander Vytnov, Igor Surkis, Valery Olifirov, Andrey Dyakov, Ismail Rahimov

IVS 2022 General Meeting Proceedings, Edited by Kyla L. Armstrong, Dirk Behrend, and Karen D. Baver NASA/CP–20220018789, 37–41 (2023)

Keywords: VGOS, Quasar VLBI network

Abstract

In 2012, the new generation VLBI system VGOS project was launched in Russia. At the end of 2015 the two-element interferometer with 13.2–m multi-fast rotating antennas (RT-13) was completed at the Badary and Zelenchukskaya observatories. In 2020, the new generation VLBI network was replenished with the third antenna at the Svetloe observatory. Since then, observations are regularly carried out with the VLBI network in three band S, X and Ka mode. The radio telescopes have identical equipment, except for the installed multifunctional digital backend system at the RT-13 in Svetloe. Additionally, the RT-13 is equipped with the ultra-wideband receiver to provide compatibility with international VGOS observations. This paper presents the current state and the first results obtained with the VLBI network. The nearest prospects for the expansion of the network to the East will also be considered, taking into account the start of construction of a new co-location station.