X-ray astronomy instruments to operate on MIR station

The Soviet Salyut orbital stations were the first to carry X-ray telescopes into space. The Mir station offers still greater opportunities for astronomical observations by ensuring high guidance accuracy in the automatic regime. Even more important, it extends the period of observations without impairing other research programs. The X-ray telescopes will operate within a wide band of energies, making it possible to solve in principle astrophysical tasks unattainable for the available space-based telescopes. Equipment and instruments for the Mir X-ray observatory were developed and manufactured through the collective efforts of the Soviet Union, the Netherlands, West Germany, and the European Space Agency. The design and advantages of the telescope are discussed.