XMM, the world's largest and most powerful X-ray telescope, was launched from Kourou, French Guiana, on 10 December 1999, by an Ariane 5 launcher. The mission's scientific data is being received, processed and dispatched to astronomers by ESA's XMM Science Operations Centre in Villafranca, Spain.
This video provides a short compilation of live broadcast footage, interview soundbites, and new 3-D graphics of the launch of the XMM telescope on the first commercial Ariane 5. The edited footage is arranged as follows:
3-D graphics of XMM launch on Ariane 504; general views of launcher before launch, VIPs and guests; general views of launch range ground controllers; final countdown, lift-off and tracking shot of flight; announcement of XMM separation and reactions; soundbite by Roger Bonnet, ESA Science Director; general views of XMM satellite ground controllers; announcement of first XMM signal and general views of reactions; soundbite by Antonio Rodota, ESA Director General.

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