XMM lower module, with Artemis

The lower module of the XMM Flight Model is prepared for 10 days of thermal vacuum testing in ESTEC's Large Space Simulator in January 1999. In the foreground is ESA's Artemis telecommunications demonstration satellite, also planned for an early 2000 launch. ESA's X-ray Multi-Mirror (XMM) high-throughput X-ray spectroscopy mission will be launched by Ariane-5 in January 2000. [Image Date: 1998/12] [98.12.008-060]