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XMM-Newton deployment. Artwork showing the deployment of the XMM-Newton X-ray telescope from its Ariane 5 launch vehicle. This large satellite was deployed on 10th December`1999. This satellite (grey) is being released from the upper stage of the Ariane rocket. The XMM (X-ray Multi-Mirror)- Newton X-ray telescope was launched into a highly elliptical orbit and is used to study black holes, supernovae and other high energy phenomena. It has three X-ray telescopes as well as a small optical telescope. The X- ray telescopes each have a set of 58 concentric mirrors which deflect X- rays onto detectors at the rear of the instrument (far right). (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/DAVID DUCROS)