The International Space Station and VLBI radio astronomy

Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) occupies a special place among tools for studying the Universe due to its record high angular resolution. The available angular resolution of ground-based VLBI systems is limited by the Earth diameter. A concept of the next generation Space VLBI mission and its main element, an orbital radio telescope, with an antenna of diameter of up to 30 m, assembled on or in close vicinity to the ISS, is presented. Under this concept, components of the orbital radio telescope are to be delivered in orbit in one or several launches. The concept has advantages over traditional schemes based on a single launch of a deployable structure. After completion of the assembly and initial tests, the radio telescope will conduct scientific observations in autonomous flight. Some basic technological requirements for such the Space VLBI mission are discussed. The concept has considerable commonality with other applications of the ISS which require in-orbit assembly of large structures and orbital manoeuvres.