Integration of the SPO Mirror Modules onto the NewAthena x-ray telescope

Several hundreds of Silicon Pore Optics (SPO) mirror modules will be integrated and co-aligned onto the NewAthena Mirror Assembly Module (MAM). The integration process has been developed by Media Lario and exploits a full-size optical bench to capture the focal plane image of each mirror module when illuminated by an UV plane wavefront at 218 nm. Supported by ESA, Media Lario designed the Assembly Integration and Test (AIT) facility, able to illuminate the complete ATHENA Mirror Assembly Module (MAM). The building housing the AIT facility is under advanced construction at the Media Lario premises (near Milan, Italy), it extends 6.5 m below ground and 17 m above ground. The building is dimensioned to accommodate, beside the AIT facility, the vertical X-ray (Vert-X) test facility. The co-location of these two facilities is strategic for the project and will permit regular checks of the Mirror Assembly Module while is populated and its final calibration. The facility is designed with a rail system connecting the two facilities, allowing the transfer of the Mirror Assembly Module between the two. This paper reports on the status of the commissioning of the AIT facility.