India is set to achieve a significant milestone in space exploration with the upcoming launch of its first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) on January 1, 2024. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has unveiled plans for this groundbreaking mission, aiming to explore the polarization of intense X-ray sources, positioning India at the forefront of space-based polarimetry.
Scheduled for a 9:10 am liftoff, XPoSat marks India’s dedicated entry into polarimetry, following NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) launch in 2021. The mission will study 50 of the most luminous known celestial sources, including pulsars, black hole X-ray binaries, active galactic nuclei, neutron stars, and non-thermal supernova remnants. The satellite will orbit at 500–700 km above Earth, with a mission lifespan of at least five years.
The primary payload, POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays), will measure the degree and angle of polarization in the medium X-ray energy range (8-30 keV). Complementing POLIX, the XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) payload will provide insights into the energy spectrum (0.8-15 keV).
Collaboratively developed by the Raman Research Institute (RRI) and the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), these instruments aim to unravel new aspects of celestial physics. By analyzing X-ray polarization, scientists hope to reveal essential details about the structural composition and emission mechanisms of distant celestial entities.
XPoSat’s mission is crucial for advancing our understanding of the universe, and its launch underscores India’s growing prowess in space exploration. The data gathered from this mission is expected to contribute significantly to the global scientific community’s knowledge of the cosmos. As India embarks on this historic venture, it solidifies its position among nations actively contributing to space exploration and scientific discovery. The XPoSat mission represents a bold step forward in India’s quest to explore the mysteries of the universe.