Most powerful X-ray space telescope is launched

17 Jun 2002

The most powerful X-ray telescope ever to orbit the Earth was launched at 14.32 Universal Time on 10 December 1999 onboard the Ariane 504 rocket.

The European Space Agency's X-ray Multi-Mirror (XMM) satellite carries three advanced X-ray telescopes, which each contain a mirror module with 58 high-precision concentric mirrors. These mirror modules, which were made by the Italian company Media Lario (please see note), will allow XMM to detect millions of sources, far greater than any previous X-ray mission. The telescope also has five X-ray imaging cameras and spectrographs.

The satellite will move in a highly eccentric orbit, travelling out to nearly one-third of the distance to the Moon. This will allow astronomers to make very long and uninterrupted observations of hot objects created when the universe was very young.

The satellite cost USD 690 million and took 15 years of planning. The XMM will remain in safety mode until 4 January 2000 and should begin imaging the universe by March. The telescope is expected to operate for a minimum of two years but may last for as long as 10 years, depending on its fuel.

SH

XMM being hoisted to the top of the launcher
(photo courtesy of the European Space Agency)

Please note:
The ESA contract was placed with Media Lario, not Kayser-Threde as previously suggested in this story. When ESA placed the contract, Kayser-Threde held majority shares in Media Lario but these have since been sold. Part of the work on XMM's mirrors was sub-contracted, by Media Lario, to Kayser Threde (Germany), APCO (Switzerland), BCV (Italy) and Steyer Daimler Puch (Austria).

SH 5/1/2000