Some time ago, we decided to change the management structure for ESA's science missions in orbit in order to optimise the division between management and science decisions relevant to a mission. To this end, the previously existing combination of XMM-Newton Project Scientist and Project Manager in one person has been split into two distinct responsibilities:
Mission Manager: has the overall executive responsibility for the mission and the full ground segment.
Project Scientist: advises the mission manager on all scientific matters regarding the mission. The Project Scientist is responsible for (amongst others) approving targets-of-opportunity and discretionary time requests, setting up the observing time allocation committee and organising the relevant reviews and settling all data right issues. The Project Scientist is the prime interface to the science community.
Norbert Schartel (Norbert.Schartel@sciops.esa.int) has been appointed as Project Scientist and Fred Jansen continues as Mission Manager as a half-time role; he will also shortly become Mission Manager for Mars-Express.
Alvaro Gimenez
Head of the Research and Scientific Support Department