XMM mirror production

The gold-plated master mandrel for one of XMM's X-ray mirrors being transported for nickel electroforming at Media Lario, Bosisio Parini, Italy. Mirror manufacturing was based on a replication process, which transferred a gold layer deposited on the highly polished master mandrel to the electrolytic nickel shell that was electroformed onto the gold. [Image Date: 15-05-96] [96.05.006-070]