ESA Science & Technology - XEUS Study preparation activities - Status Report

Publication date: 01 April 2006

Authors: SCI-AM

Issue: 1
Page: 1-24
Year: 2006

Copyright: ESA

The X-Ray Observatory, also known as XEUS (X-Ray Evolving-Universe Spectroscopy), is one of the potential future missions identified in the framework of the ESA Call for Themes issued in April 2004. Preliminary studies on a post XMM-Newton mission assumed a LEO scenario, with two spacecraft in formation flying, 5 m² (at 1 keV) effective area mirror and a focal length of 35 m. The mirror optics was originally based on the same technology used for XMM (replicated nickel mirrors), while the mission scenario was assuming a multiple launch approach and the use the ISS as servicing post for the observatory.