XMM-Newton

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

14:32:00

Friday December 10, 1999

Mission Details

Launch Notes

Flight V124.

XMM-Newton

Wiki

XMM-Newton, also known as the High Throughput X-ray Spectroscopy Mission and the X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission, is an X-ray space observatory launched by the European Space Agency in December 1999 on an Ariane 5 rocket. It is the second cornerstone mission of ESA's Horizon 2000 programme. Named after physicist and astronomer Sir Isaac Newton, the spacecraft is tasked with investigating interstellar X-ray sources, performing narrow- and broad-range spectroscopy, and performing the first simultaneous imaging of objects in both X-ray and optical (visible and ultraviolet) wavelengths. Originally scheduled for a two-year mission, the spacecraft remains in good health and has received repeated mission extensions, most recently in November 2018, and is scheduled to operate until the end of 2020. It will probably receive a mission extension lasting until 2022. ESA plans to succeed XMM-Newton with the Advanced Telescope for High Energy Astrophysics (ATHE) XMM-Newton is similar to NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, also launched in 1999.

Highly Elliptical Orbit

1 Payload

3,764 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Ariane 5 G

Active 1996 to 2003

European Space Agency logo

Manufacturer

ESA

Rocket

Diameter: 5.4m

Height: 52m

Payload to Orbit

GTO: 6,900 kg

Liftoff Thrust

11,400 Kilonewtons

Stages

2

Strap-ons

2

Launch Site

ELA-3

Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, France

Fastest Turnaround

24 days 3 hours

Stats

Ariane 5


4th

Mission

1st

Mission of 1999

European Space Agency


112th

Mission

9th

Mission of 1999

1999


70th

Orbital launch attempt