Prof. Gregory Gol'tsman, Astro Space Center of Lebedev Physical Institute
and Moscow State Pedagogical University

The "Millimetron" project, a future space telescope mission
initiated by Russian Space Agency.

The goal of the Millimetron project is to develop a space
observatory operating in the millimeter, sub-millimeter and infrared
wavelengths ranges using a 12-m actively cooled telescope in a
single-dish mode and as an interferometer with the space-ground and
space-space baselines (the later after the launch of the second
identical space telescope). The Millimetron's main reflector and
other optics will be cooled down to 4 K thus enabling astronomical
observations with super high sensitivity in MM and subMM (down to
nanoJansky level). Heterodyne observations in an interferometric
mode at frequencies 0.1 - 1 THz will provide super high angular
resolution. The main instruments, planned to be installed are
wide-range imaging arrays, radiometers with spectrometers and
polarimeters, VLBI hetrodyne receivers, and Michelson type
interferometer devices. Wide-range MM and subMM imaging arrays and
spectrometers will be based on a superconducting hot electron direct
detectors with Andreev mirrors operating at 0.1 K. Such detectors
are the best candidates to reach the noise equivalent power level of
10^-19 - 10^-20 Watt per square root Hertz. Heterodyne receivers
will be both SIS based superconducting integrated receiver with
flux-flow oscillator as LO (0.1 - 0.9 THz range) and HEB based
receivers using multiplied Gunn oscillators as LO for 1-2 THz range
and quantum cascade lasers as LO for 2-5 THz range. For obervations
in middle IR region there will be installed large arrays of
superconducting single photon detectors, providing imaging with very
high dynamic range and ultimate sensitivity.