Artist's impression of theXMM-Newton spacecraft | |||||||||
| Names | High Throughput X-ray Spectroscopy Mission X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mission type | X-ray astronomy | ||||||||
| Operator | European Space Agency | ||||||||
| COSPAR ID | 1999-066A | ||||||||
| SATCATno. | 25989 | ||||||||
| Website | http://sci.esa.int/xmm-newton/ http://xmm.esac.esa.int/ | ||||||||
| Mission duration | Planned: 10 years[1] Elapsed: 25 years, 10 months, 14 days | ||||||||
| Spacecraft properties | |||||||||
| Manufacturer | Dornier Satellitensysteme,Carl Zeiss, Media Lario,Matra Marconi Space, BPD Difesa e Spazio,Fokker Space[2] | ||||||||
| Launch mass | 3,764 kg (8,298 lb)[2] | ||||||||
| Dry mass | 3,234 kg (7,130 lb) | ||||||||
| Dimensions | Length: 10.8 m (35 ft)[2] Span: 16.16 m (53 ft)[2] | ||||||||
| Power | 1,600 watts[2] | ||||||||
| Start of mission | |||||||||
| Launch date | 10 December 1999, 14:32 (1999-12-10UTC14:32) UTC[3] | ||||||||
| Rocket | Ariane 5G No. 504[4] | ||||||||
| Launch site | Guiana Space CentreELA-3[2][4] | ||||||||
| Contractor | Arianespace | ||||||||
| Entered service | 1 July 2000[2] | ||||||||
| End of mission | |||||||||
| Deactivated | presumed end of 2026 or later[5] | ||||||||
| Orbital parameters | |||||||||
| Reference system | Geocentric | ||||||||
| Semi-major axis | 65,648.3 km (40,792.0 mi) | ||||||||
| Eccentricity | 0.816585 | ||||||||
| Perigee altitude | 5,662.7 km (3,518.6 mi) | ||||||||
| Apogee altitude | 112,877.6 km (70,138.9 mi) | ||||||||
| Inclination | 67.1338 degrees | ||||||||
| Period | 2789.9 minutes | ||||||||
| Epoch | 4 February 2016, 01:06:30 UTC[6] | ||||||||
| Main telescope | |||||||||
| Type | 3 ×Wolter type-1[2] | ||||||||
| Diameter | Outer mirror: 70 cm (28 in)[2] Inner mirror: 30.6 cm (12 in)[2] | ||||||||
| Focal length | 7.5 m (25 ft)[2] | ||||||||
| Collecting area | 0.1475 m2 (2 sq ft) at 1.5keV[2] 0.0580 m2 (1 sq ft) at 8 keV[2] | ||||||||
| Wavelengths | 0.1–12 keV (12–0.1 nm)[2] | ||||||||
| Resolution | 5 to 14 arcseconds[2] | ||||||||
| |||||||||
ESA astrophysics insignia forXMM-Newton | |||||||||

XMM-Newton, also known as theHigh Throughput X-ray Spectroscopy Mission and theX-ray Multi-Mirror Mission, is anX-rayspace observatory launched by theEuropean Space Agency in December 1999 on anAriane 5 rocket. It is the second cornerstone mission of ESA'sHorizon 2000 programme. Named after physicist and astronomer SirIsaac Newton, the spacecraft is tasked with investigating interstellar X-ray sources, performing narrow- and broad-rangespectroscopy, and performing the first simultaneous imaging of objects in both X-ray and optical (visible andultraviolet) wavelengths.[7]
Initially funded for two years, with a ten-year design life, the spacecraft remains in good health and has received repeated mission extensions, most recently in March 2023 and is scheduled to operate until the end of 2026.[5] ESA plans to succeedXMM-Newton with theAdvanced Telescope for High Energy Astrophysics (ATHENA), the second large mission in theCosmic Vision 2015–2025 plan, to be launched in 2035.[8]XMM-Newton is similar toNASA'sChandra X-ray Observatory, also launched in 1999.
As of May 2018, close to 5,600papers have been published about eitherXMM-Newton or the scientific results it has returned.[9]
The observational scope ofXMM-Newton includes thedetection of X-ray emissions from astronomical objects, detailed studies of star-forming regions, investigation of the formation and evolution ofgalaxy clusters, the environment ofsupermassive black holes and mapping of the mysteriousdark matter.[10]
In 1982, even before the launch ofXMM-Newton's predecessorEXOSAT in 1983, a proposal was generated for a "multi-mirror" X-ray telescope mission.[11][12] TheXMM mission was formally proposed to the ESA Science Programme Committee in 1984 and gained approval from the Agency's Council of Ministers in January 1985.[13] That same year, severalworking groups were established to determine the feasibility of such a mission,[11] and mission objectives were presented at aworkshop in Denmark in June 1985.[12][14] At this workshop, it was proposed that the spacecraft contain 12 low-energy and 7 high-energy X-ray telescopes.[14][15] The spacecraft's overall configuration was developed by February 1987, and drew heavily from lessons learned during theEXOSAT mission;[11] the Telescope Working Group had reduced the number of X-ray telescopes to seven standardised units.[14][15] In June 1988 the European Space Agency approved the mission and issued a call for investigation proposals (an "announcement of opportunity").[11][15] Improvements in technology further reduced the number of X-ray telescopes needed to just three.[15]
In June 1989, the mission's instruments had been selected and work began on spacecraft hardware.[11][15] A project team was formed in January 1993 and based at theEuropean Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) inNoordwijk, Netherlands.[13] Prime contractor Dornier Satellitensysteme (a subsidiary of the formerDaimlerChrysler Aerospace) was chosen in October 1994 after the mission was approved into the implementation phase, with development and construction beginning in March 1996 and March 1997, respectively.[13][14] The XMM Survey Science Centre was established atSchool of Physics and Astronomy at theUniversity of Leicester in 1995.[11][16] The three flight mirror modules for the X-ray telescopes were delivered by Italian subcontractor Media Lario in December 1998,[14] and spacecraft integration and testing was completed in September 1999.[13]
XMM left the ESTEC integration facility on 9 September 1999, taken by road toKatwijk then by the bargeEmeli toRotterdam. On 12 September, the spacecraft left Rotterdam forFrench Guiana aboardArianespace's transport ship MNToucan.[17] TheToucan docked at the French Guianese town ofKourou on 23 September, and was transported toGuiana Space Centre's Ariane 5 Final Assembly Building for final launch preparation.[18]
Launch ofXMM took place on 10 December 1999 at 14:32 UTC from the Guiana Space Centre.[19]XMM was lofted into space aboard anAriane 5 rocket, and placed into a highly elliptical, 40-degree orbit that had aperigee of 838 km (521 mi) and anapogee of 112,473 km (69,887 mi).[2] Forty minutes after being released from the Ariane upper stage, telemetry confirmed to ground stations that the spacecraft's solar arrays had successfully deployed. Engineers waited an additional 22 hours before commanding the on-board propulsion systems to fire a total of five times, which, between 10 and 16 December, changed the orbit to 7,365 × 113,774 km (4,576 × 70,696 mi) with a 38.9-degree inclination. This resulted in the spacecraft making one completerevolution of the Earth approximately every 48 hours.[2][20]
Immediately after launch,XMM began itsLaunch and Early Orbit phase of operations.[21] On 17 and 18 December 1999, the X-ray modules and Optical Monitor doors were opened, respectively.[22] Instrument activation started on 4 January 2000,[2] and the Instrument Commissioning phase began on 16 January.[23] The Optical Monitor (OM) attained first light on 5 January, the two European Photon Imaging Camera (EPIC)MOS-CCDs followed on 16 January and the EPICpn-CCD on 22 January, and the Reflection Grating Spectrometers (RGS) saw first light on 2 February.[23] On 3 March, the Calibration and Performance Validation phase began,[2] and routine science operations began on 1 June.[23]
During a press conference on 9 February 2000, ESA presented the first images taken byXMM and announced that a new name had been chosen for the spacecraft. Whereas the program had formally been known as the High Throughput X-ray Spectroscopy Mission, the new name would reflect the nature of the program and the originator of the field of spectroscopy. Explaining the new name ofXMM-Newton, Roger Bonnet, ESA's former Director of Science, said, "We have chosen this name because Sir Isaac Newton was the man who invented spectroscopy and XMM is a spectroscopy mission." He noted that because Newton is synonymous with gravity and one of the goals of the satellite was to locate large numbers of black hole candidates, "there was no better choice than XMM-Newton for the name of this mission."[24]
Including all construction, spacecraft launch, and two years of operation, the project was accomplished within a budget of€689 million (1999 conditions).[13][14]
The spacecraft has the ability to lower the operating temperature of both the EPIC and RGS cameras, a function that was included to counteract the deleterious effects of ionisingradiation on the camerapixels. In general, the instruments are cooled to reduce the amount ofdark current within the devices. During the night of 3–4 November 2002, RGS-2 was cooled from its initial temperature of −80 °C (−112 °F) down to −113 °C (−171 °F), and a few hours later to −115 °C (−175 °F). After analysing the results, it was determined the optimal temperature for both RGS units would be −110 °C (−166 °F), and during 13–14 November, both RGS-1 and RGS-2 were set to this level. During 6–7 November, the EPIC MOS-CCD detectors were cooled from their initial operating temperature of −100 °C (−148 °F) to a new setting of −120 °C (−184 °F). After these adjustments, both the EPIC and RGS cameras showed dramatic improvements in quality.[25]
On 18 October 2008,XMM-Newton suffered an unexpected communications failure, during which time there was no contact with the spacecraft. While some concern was expressed that the vehicle may have suffered a catastrophic event, photographs taken by amateur astronomers at theStarkenburg Observatory in Germany and at other locations worldwide showed that the spacecraft was intact and appeared on course. A weak signal was finally detected using a 35-metre (115 ft) antenna inNew Norcia, Western Australia, and communication withXMM-Newton suggested that the spacecraft's Radio Frequency switch had failed. After troubleshooting a solution, ground controllers usedNASA's 34 m (112 ft) antenna at theGoldstone Deep Space Communications Complex to send a command that changed the switch to its last working position. ESA stated in a press release that on 22 October, a ground station at theEuropean Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) made contact with the satellite, confirming the process had worked and that the satellite was back under control.[26][27][28]
Because of the spacecraft's good health and the significant returns of data,XMM-Newton has received several mission extensions by ESA's Science Programme Committee. The first extension came during November 2003 and extended operations through March 2008.[29] The second extension was approved in December 2005, extending work through March 2010.[30] A third extension was passed in November 2007, which provided for operations through 2012. As part of the approval, it was noted that the satellite had enough on-board consumables (fuel, power and mechanical health) to theoretically continue operations past 2017.[31] The fourth extension in November 2010 approved operations through 2014.[32] A fifth extension was approved in November 2014 and affirmed in November 2016, continuing operations through 2018.[33][34] A sixth extension was approved in December 2017, continuing operations through the end of 2020.[35] A seventh extension was approved in November 2018, continuing operations through the end of 2022.[36] An eighth extension was approved in March 2023, continuing operations through the end of 2026, with indicative extension up to 2029.[5]

XMM-Newton is a 10.8-metre (35 ft) long space telescope, and is 16.16 m (53 ft) wide with solar arrays deployed. At launch it weighed 3,764 kilograms (8,298 lb).[2] The spacecraft has three degrees of stabilisation, which allow it to aim at a target with an accuracy of 0.25 to 1arcseconds. This stabilisation is achieved through the use of the spacecraft'sAttitude & Orbit Control Subsystem. These systems also allow the spacecraft to point at different celestial targets, and can turn the craft at a maximum of 90 degrees per hour.[11][24] The instruments on boardXMM-Newton are three European Photon Imaging Cameras (EPIC), two Reflection GratingSpectrometers (RGS), and an Optical Monitor.
The spacecraft is roughly cylindrical in shape, and has four major components. At the fore of the spacecraft is theMirror Support Platform, which supports the X-ray telescope assemblies and grating systems, the Optical Monitor, and twostar trackers. Surrounding this component is theService Module, which carries various spacecraft support systems:computer andelectric busses, consumables (such as fuel andcoolant),solar arrays, the Telescope Sun Shield, and twoS-band antennas. Behind these units is theTelescope Tube, a 6.8-metre (22 ft) long, hollowcarbon fibre structure which provides exact spacing between the mirrors and their detection equipment. This section also hostsoutgassing equipment on its exterior, which helps remove any contaminants from the interior of the satellite. At the aft end of spacecraft is theFocal Plane Assembly, which supports the Focal Plane Platform (carrying the cameras and spectrometers) and the data-handling, power distribution, and radiator assemblies.[37]
The threeEuropean Photon Imaging Cameras (EPIC) are the primary instruments aboardXMM-Newton. The system is composed of twoMOS–CCD cameras and a singlepn-CCD camera, with a total field of view of 30arcminutes and an energy sensitivity range between0.15 and 15keV (82.7 to 0.83ångströms). Each camera contains a six-positionfilter wheel, with three types of X-ray-transparent filters, a fully open and a fully closed position; each also contains a radioactive source used for internal calibration. The cameras can be independently operated in a variety of modes, depending on the image sensitivity and speed needed, as well as the intensity of the target.[38][39][40]
The two MOS-CCD cameras are used to detect low-energy X-rays. Each camera is composed of sevensilicon chips (one in the centre and six circling it), with each chip containing a matrix of 600 × 600pixels, giving the camera a total resolution of about 2.5megapixels. Asdiscussed above, each camera has a large adjacentradiator which cools the instrument to an operating temperature of −120 °C (−184 °F). They were developed and built by theUniversity of Leicester Space Research Centre andEEV Ltd.[25][38][40]
The pn-CCD camera is used to detect high-energy X-rays, and is composed of a single silicon chip with twelve individual embedded CCDs. Each CCD is 64 × 189 pixels, for a total capacity of 145,000 pixels. At the time of its construction, the pn-CCD camera onXMM-Newton was the largest such device ever made, with a sensitive area of 36 cm2 (5.6 sq in). A radiator cools the camera to −90 °C (−130 °F). This system was made by theAstronomisches Institut Tübingen, theMax Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, and PNSensor, all of Germany.[38][41][42]
The EPIC system records three types of data about every X-ray that is detected by its CCD cameras. The time that the X-ray arrives allows scientists to developlight curves, which projects the number of X-rays that arrive over time and shows changes in the brightness of the target. Where the X-ray hits the camera allows for a visible image to be developed of the target. The amount of energy carried by the X-ray can also be detected and helps scientists to determine the physical processes occurring at the target, such as its temperature, its chemical make-up, and what the environment is like between the target and the telescope.[43]
TheReflection Grating Spectrometers (RGS) are composed of two Focal Plane Cameras and their associated Reflection Grating Arrays. This system is used to buildX-ray spectral data and can determine theelements present in the target, as well as the temperature, quantity and other characteristics of those elements. The RGS system operates in the2.5 to 0.35 keV (5 to 35 ångström) range, which allows detection of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, neon, magnesium, silicon and iron.[44][45]
The Focal Plane Cameras each consist of nine MOS-CCD devices mounted in a row and following a curve called aRowland circle. Each CCD contains 384 × 1024 pixels, for a total resolution of more than 3.5 megapixels. The total width and length of the CCD array was dictated by the size of the RGS spectrum and the wavelength range, respectively. Each CCD array is surrounded by a relatively massive wall, providing heat conduction andradiation shielding. Two-stage radiators cool the cameras to an operating temperature of −110 °C (−166 °F). The camera systems were a joint effort betweenSRON, thePaul Scherrer Institute, andMSSL, with EEV Ltd and Contraves Space providing hardware.[25][44][45][46][47]
The Reflection Grating Arrays are attached to two of the primary telescopes. They allow approximately 50% of the incoming X-rays to pass unperturbed to the EPIC system, while redirecting the other 50% onto the Focal Plane Cameras. Each RGA was designed to contain 182 identical gratings, though a fabrication error left one with only 181. Because the telescope mirrors have already focused the X-rays to converge at the focal point, each grating has the same angle of incidence, and as with the Focal Plane Cameras, each grating array conforms to a Rowland circle. This configuration minimises focal aberrations. Each 10 × 20 cm (4 × 8 in) grating is composed of 1 mm (0.039 in) thicksilicon carbide substrate covered with a 2,000-ångström (7.9×10−6 in)gold film, and is supported by fiveberyllium stiffeners. The gratings contain a large number of grooves, which actually perform the X-ray deflection; each grating contains an average of 646 grooves per millimetre. The RGAs were built byColumbia University.[44][45]
TheOptical Monitor (OM) is a 30 cm (12 in)Ritchey–Chrétien optical/ultraviolet telescope designed to provide simultaneous observations alongside the spacecraft's X-ray instruments. The OM is sensitive between170 and 650 nanometres in a 17 × 17 arcminute square field of view co-aligned with the centre of the X-ray telescope's field of view. It has afocal length of 3.8 m (12 ft) and afocal ratio of ƒ/12.7.[48][49]
The instrument is composed of the Telescope Module, containing the optics, detectors, processing equipment, and power supply; and the Digital Electronics Module, containing the instrument control unit and data processing units. Incoming light is directed into one of two fully redundant detector systems. The light passes through an 11-positionfilter wheel (one opaque to block light, six broad band filters, one white light filter, one magnifier, and twogrisms), then through an intensifier which amplifies the light by one million times, then onto the CCD sensor. The CCD is 384 × 288 pixels in size, of which 256 × 256 pixels are used for observations; each pixel is further subsampled into 8 × 8 pixels, resulting in a final product that is 2048 × 2048 in size. The Optical Monitor was built by theMullard Space Science Laboratory with contributions from organisations in the United States and Belgium.[48][49]

Feeding the EPIC and RGS systems are three telescopes designed specifically to direct X-rays into the spacecraft's primary instruments. The telescope assemblies each have a diameter of 90 cm (35 in), are 250 cm (98 in) in length, and have a base weight of 425 kg (937 lb). The two telescopes with Reflection Grating Arrays weigh an additional 20 kg (44 lb). Components of the telescopes include (from front to rear) the mirror assembly door, entrance and X-raybaffles, mirror module, electron deflector, a Reflection Grating Array in two of the assemblies, and exit baffle.[13][50][51][52]
Each telescope consists of 58 cylindrical, nestedWolter Type-1 mirrors developed by Media Lario of Italy, each 600 mm (24 in) long and ranging in diameter from 306 to 700 mm (12.0 to 27.6 in), producing a total collecting area of 4,425 cm2 (686 sq in) at 1.5keV and 1,740 cm2 (270 sq in) at 8 keV.[2] The mirrors range from 0.47 mm (0.02 in) thick for the innermost mirror to 1.07 mm (0.04 in) thick for the outermost mirror, and the separation between each mirror ranges from 1.5 to 4 mm (0.06 to 0.16 in) from innermost to outermost.[2] Each mirror was built by vapour-depositing a 250 nm layer of gold reflecting surface onto a highly polished aluminiummandrel, followed byelectroforming a monolithicnickel support layer onto the gold. The finished mirrors were glued into the grooves of anInconel spider, which keeps them aligned to within the five-micron tolerance required to achieve adequate X-ray resolution. The mandrels were manufactured byCarl Zeiss AG, and the electroforming and final assembly were performed by Media Lario with contributions fromKayser-Threde.[53]
Spacecraft three-axisattitude control is handled by theAttitude & Orbit Control System (AOCS), composed of fourreaction wheels, fourinertial measurement units, twostar trackers, three fineSun sensors, and three Sun acquisition sensors. The AOCS was provided byMatra Marconi Space of the United Kingdom.[2][54][55]
Coarse spacecraft orientation and orbit maintenance is provided by two sets of four 20-newton (4.5 lbf)hydrazine thrusters (primary and backup).[2] The hydrazine thrusters were built byDASA-RI of Germany.[56]
The AOCS was upgraded in 2013 with a software patch ('4WD'), to control attitude using the 3 prime reaction wheels plus the 4th, spare wheel, unused since launch, with the aim of saving propellant to extend the spacecraft lifetime.[57][58] In 2019 the fuel was predicted to last until 2030.[59]
Primary power forXMM-Newton is provided by two fixed solar arrays. The arrays are composed of six panels measuring 1.81 × 1.94 m (5.9 × 6.4 ft) for a total of 21 m2 (230 sq ft) and a mass of 80 kg (180 lb). At launch, the arrays provided 2,200 W of power, and were expected to provide 1,600 W after ten years of operation. Deployment of each array took four minutes. The arrays were provided byFokker Space of the Netherlands.[2][60]
When direct sunlight is unavailable, power is provided by twonickel–cadmium batteries providing 24A·h and weighing 41 kg (90 lb) each. The batteries were provided bySAFT of France.[2][60]
The cameras are accompanied by theEPIC Radiation Monitor System (ERMS), which measures the radiation environment surrounding the spacecraft; specifically, the ambient proton and electron flux. This provides warning of damaging radiation events to allow for automatic shut-down of the sensitive camera CCDs and associated electronics. The ERMS was built by theCentre d'Etude Spatiale des Rayonnements of France.[13][38][40]
TheVisual Monitoring Cameras (VMC) on the spacecraft were added to monitor the deployment of solar arrays and the sun shield, and have additionally provided images of the thrusters firing and outgassing of the Telescope Tube during early operations. Two VMCs were installed on the Focal Plane Assembly looking forward. The first is FUGA-15, a black and white camera with highdynamic range and 290 × 290 pixel resolution. The second is IRIS-1, a colour camera with a variableexposure time and 400 × 310 pixel resolution. Both cameras measure 6 × 6 × 10 cm (2.4 × 2.4 × 3.9 in) and weight 430 g (15 oz). They useactive pixel sensors, a technology that was new at the time ofXMM-Newton's development. The cameras were developed byOIC–Delft andIMEC, both of Belgium.[56][61]
XMM-Newton mission control is located at theEuropean Space Operations Centre (ESOC) inDarmstadt, Germany. Twoground stations, located inPerth andKourou, are used to maintain continuous contact with the spacecraft through most of its orbit. Back-up ground stations are located inVillafranca del Castillo,Santiago, andDongara. BecauseXMM-Newton contains no on-board data storage, science data is transmitted to these ground stations in real time.[20]
Data is then forwarded to theEuropean Space Astronomy Centre's Science Operations Centre in Villafranca del Castillo, Spain, where pipeline processing has been performed since March 2012. Data is archived at the ESAC Science Data Centre,[62] and distributed to mirror archives at theGoddard Space Flight Center and the XMM-Newton Survey Science Centre (SSC) at theInstitut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie. Prior to June 2013, the SSC was operated by theUniversity of Leicester, but operations were transferred due to a withdrawal of funding by the United Kingdom.[16][63]
The space observatory was used to discover thegalaxy clusterXMMXCS 2215-1738, 10 billion light years away from Earth.[64]
The objectSCP 06F6, discovered by theHubble Space Telescope (HST) in February 2006, was observed byXMM-Newton in early August 2006 and appeared to show an X-ray glow around it[65] two orders of magnitude more luminous than that ofsupernovae.[66]
In June 2011, a team from theUniversity of Geneva,Switzerland, reportedXMM-Newton seeing a flare that lasted four hours at a peak intensity of 10,000 times the normal rate, from an observation ofSupergiant Fast X-ray TransientIGR J18410-0535, where ablue supergiant star shed a plume of matter that was partly ingested by a smaller companionneutron star with accompanying X-ray emissions.[67][68]
In February 2013 it was announced thatXMM-Newton along withNuSTAR have for the first time measured the spin rate of asupermassive black hole, by observing the black hole at the core of galaxyNGC 1365. At the same time, it verified the model that explains the distortion of X-rays emitted from a black hole.[69][70]
In February 2014, separate analyses extracted from the spectrum of X-ray emissions observed byXMM-Newton amonochromatic signal around 3.5 keV.[71][72] This signal is coming from differentgalaxy clusters, and several scenarios ofdark matter can justify such a line. For example, a 3.5 keV candidate annihilating into 2 photons,[73] or a 7 keV dark matter particle decaying into photon and neutrino.[74]
In June 2021, one of the largest X-ray surveys using the European Space Agency's XMM-Newton space observatory published initial findings, mapping the growth of 12,000 supermassive black holes at the cores of galaxies and galaxy clusters.[75]