XMM Sky Survey: In Flight re-Design for Full Sky Mapping

Paper number

IAC-07-A3.1.08

Author

Mr. Andrea Guidi, SciSys GmbH / ESA-ESOC, Germany

Coauthor

Pedro Rodriguez-Pascual, Serco FM B.V., Spain

Coauthor

Mr. Oscar Ojanguren, European Space Agency/ESOC, Germany

Coauthor

Ms. Carmen Lozano, Germany

Year

2007

Abstract

The XMM observatory is an ESA 3 axis stabilized satellite flying since Dec 1999  in a high elliptical orbit around the earth. It carries 6 instruments and observes the universe in the X-ray domain. While slewing from target to target it was observed that many unknown  X-ray sources were crossing in front of the XMM cameras. In these 7 years of routine science operations the number adds to more than 300.000. The idea of making a full sky catalog of X-ray sources came up as an added value for the science community.

This article explains the in flight and on ground redesign needed to transform the 3 axis stabilized spacecraft into a pure sky scanner. The in flight tests made and the final results. 

At this point in time, XMM while continuing with its routine point target scientific observations, is ready to perform a full sky survey.

Abstract document

IAC-07-A3.1.08.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-07-A3.1.08.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.