Spacecraft
The 4 tonne, 10 m long XMM-Newton spacecraft is the largest scientific satellite ever launched by the European Space Agency.
The XMM-Newton satellite is configured modularly and is composed of four main elements:
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The Focal Plane Assembly (FPA), consisting of the Focal Plane Platform carrying the focal-plane instruments: two Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS) readout cameras, an EPIC pn and two EPIC MOS imaging detectors, and the data handling and power distribution units for the cameras. The EPIC and RGS instruments are fitted with radiators, which cool the CCD detectors via cold fingers.
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The Mirror Support Platform (MSP), consisting of the platform itself and carrying the three mirrors assemblies (Mirror Modules + entrance and exit baffles + doors + two RGS grating boxes), the Optical Monitor (OM), the main and the redundant star-tracker.
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The Telescope Tube (a long carbon fibre tube), maintaining the relative position between the FPA and the MSP. Due to its length of 6.80 m, the Telescope Tube is physically composed of two halves: the upper and lower tubes. The upper tube includes two reversible venting and outgassing doors, and supports the outgassing baffle. There are two aperture stops mounted inside the Telescope Tube to block the stray-light.
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The Service Module (SVM), which carries the spacecraft subsystems and associated units providing the necessary resources to the satellite. Also attached to the SVM are the two solar-array wings, the Telescope Sun Shield and the two S-band antennas mounted on their booms.
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