India’s space agency, ISRO, achieved a significant milestone as it successfully launched its maiden X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite, XPoSat, aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C58 mission. The launch took place from the first launch pad at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. The 44.4-meter tall PSLV rocket lifted off at 9:10 am, placing XPoSat into a 650 km Low Earth Orbit.
ISRO Chief S Somanath declared the mission a success, highlighting the accomplishment on January 1, 2024. He emphasized that PSLV-C58 had flawlessly positioned XPoSat in its intended orbit with a 6-degree inclination. Somanath expressed excitement for the upcoming year, anticipating multiple launches, including the highly anticipated Mission Gaganyaan in 2024.
XPoSat’s primary objective is to explore celestial objects, particularly black holes, by investigating the polarization of intense X-ray sources in space. The satellite’s key payloads include POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-Rays) and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing). POLIX, developed by the Raman Research Institute, focuses on measuring polarimetry parameters, while XSPECT, built by the UR Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, concentrates on X-ray spectroscopy and timing.
The mission’s scientific goals involve studying the polarization properties of X-ray sources, offering valuable insights into the behavior of matter in extreme conditions, such as around black holes. The XPoSat mission is expected to have a lifespan of around five years, providing an extended period for scientific observations and data collection.
The successful launch marks a significant stride in India’s space exploration efforts, enhancing the country’s capabilities in studying celestial phenomena and contributing to global scientific knowledge. As India embarks on an exciting year of space exploration, the successful deployment of XPoSat adds another feather to ISRO’s illustrious achievements.