XMM overall layout

In order to be the world's most sensitive X-ray observatory, ESA's XMM is the largest scientific satellite ever built in Europe. It is about 10 m long and nearly 4 t in mass. A long, wide tube accommodates the focal length of the X-ray telescopes and dominates the design. Most of the spacecraft's mass is concentrated at one end. The short but heavy X-ray multi-mirror modules are mounted in a mirror support platform (right). Surrounding it, the service module carries the solar-powered electrical system, and the data-handling and telecommunications equipment. At the top left end of the telescope the X-ray detectors straddle the foci of the telescopes and spectrographs, in the focal plane assembly. [Image Date: 1997-07-00] [97.11.015-002]