Space VLBI—Today and tomorrow

Abstract

Ground-based VLBI is a front-running technique in studying the Universe with the sharpest angular resolution. However, many astrophysical problems require even higher angular resolution and the only way to achieve this, for a given wavelength, is to create an interferometer with a baseline larger than the diameter of the Earth by placing at least one telescope in space. In this contribution the scientific rationale and technical aspects of the present and future generations of Space VLBI missions are briefly discussed.