| XMM-Newton spacecraft
|
|
|
 |
| LAUNCH DATE: |
10-Dec-1999 14:32 UT
|
| MISSION END: | Nominal 2 years - extended to 31 December 2012 |
| LAUNCH VEHICLE: | Ariane 5 |
| LAUNCH MASS: | 3800 kg |
| MISSION PHASE: |
Operational |
|
48 hour elliptical |
X-rays from accretion onto black holes,
properties of exploding stars,
nature of exotic matter,
observations of GRB. |
|
ESA's X-ray space observatory is unique. It is the biggest scientific satellite ever built in Europe, its telescope mirrors were amongst the most powerful ever developed in the world, and with its sensitive cameras it will see much more than any previous X-ray satellite. |
|
