ESA Science & Technology - ESA Bulletin 100 - The XMM Mission

Publication date: 01 December 1999

Authors: Credland, J. et al.

Journal: ESA Bulletin
Volume: 100
Year: 1999

Copyright: ESA

The launch of the X-ray Multi-Mirror (XMM) telescope on flight V119, the first commercial launch of Ariane-5, will mark another important milestone for European Space and the Agency's Scientific Programme. The mission, conceived in the late 1970s, entered the assessment-study phase in 1982 and was adopted as a 'Cornerstone Mission' in the then new Horizon 2000 Programme approved by the Science Programme Committee in 1984. The industrial studies were completed in 1988 and the scientific payload selected in 1989.