The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPOSAT) on January 1, 2024.
Key points
- The XPOSAT satellite was launched onboard PSLV-C58 from Sriharikota spaceport. The mission aims to explore and understand space-based polarisation of X-ray emissions originating from a variety of celestial sources.
- XPoSat is the first dedicated scientific satellite from the ISRO to carry out research in space-based polarisation measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources.
- It carries two significant payloads POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing).
- The successful launch of the XPoSAT put India in an elite category, as it has become the second nation to send an observatory to study astronomical sources, such as black holes, neutron stars, among others.
- The PSLV also launched 10 payloads developed by start-ups, educational institutions and ISRO centres.
Two payloads
- POLIX: It was developed by the Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bangalore, and U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC). Its primary role is to measure polarimetry parameters (degree and angle of polarization) from various astronomical sources.
- XSPECT: It provides spectroscopic information and enables fast timing with high-quality spectroscopic resolution in soft X-rays. It complements POLIX by facilitating long-term monitoring of spectral state changes, line flux variations, and temporal monitoring of soft X-ray emissions.
