Smooth sailing through the first eclipses
14 April 2000
As the Science Working Team met in Vilspa, the XMM-Newton spacecraft was preparing to enter its first eclipse, which Mission controllers in Darmstadt were following closely.During these eclipse periods which last for 21 orbits and occur twice a year, XMM has to survive on its battery power reserves whilst in the Earth's shadow.
This first eclipse lasted 24 minutes and all indications from the spacecraft showed that there had been no problems and all parameters (battery discharge, temperature, AOCS performance ... ) were either as expected, or better. XMM-Newton has since passed through a second 35 minute long eclipse equally well.
Last Update: 1 September 2019