EVOLUTION OF THE UNIVERSE AND GRAVITON MASS

The evolution of the uniform and isotropic universe is considered on t he basis of the relativistic theory of gravitation. It is indicated th at, within this theory, the universe is inevitably flat-that is, its s patial metric is of the Euclidean type. It is shown that the gauge-fre edom-violating term that inevitably arises in the relativistic theory of gravitation and which involves a cosmological term and the graviton mass (these two quantities are characterized by a single constant) le ads to removal of a cosmological singularity and to a cyclic evolution of the universe from a certain maximal density rho(max) to a minimal one rho(min) and so forth. The Mach principle is naturally implemented in this theory: the inertial reference frame is determined by the mas s distribution in the universe. The theory implies the existence of a large hidden mass in the universe. The Hubble constant H, the decelera tion parameter q, and the period of the universe evolution have been c alculated on the basis of the relativistic theory of gravitation. The time tau(c), from the beginning of the evolution and the current value s H(tau(c)) and q(tau(c)) are virtually independent of the maximal mat ter density rho(max), which is related to an integral of the motion. T his model is free from the known problems of singularity, flatness, an d causality, so that the stage of inflationary expansion is not necess ary to solve them.