XEUS

XEUS is the X-ray Evolving Universe Spectroscopy space observatory that is being developed by the European Space Agency as a successor to the successful XMM-Newton X-ray satellite telescope. It consists of a mirror spacecraft that carries a large X-ray telescope, with a mirror area of about 5 m² and an imaging resolution better than 5" for X-ray radiation with an energy of 1 keV. A detector spacecraft will fly in formation with the telescope at a distance of approximately 35 m, in the focus of the telescope. The detectors will include a wide-field X-ray imager with an energy resolution of 150 eV at 6 keV, as well as a cryogenic narrow-field imager with an energy resolution of 2 eV at 1 keV.

XEUS will be able to measure the X-ray spectrum and thereby the composition, temperature and velocities of hot matter in the early universe. It will address diverse questions like the origin and nature of black holes, their relation with star formation, the evolution of baryons and the formation of the heavy elements in the Universe.

The technology required for XEUS is currently under development. XEUS is one of the candidates for the Cosmic Vision program of the European Space Agency.