The X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) is aimed to investigate the polarisation of intense X-ray sources in space.
On Monday, ISRO successfully launched its first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite, a significant milestone in space exploration. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in its C58 mission lifted off from Sriharikota’s first launch pad at 9:10 am, placing the XPoSat into a 650 km Low Earth Orbit as planned. Spectators gathered at the spaceport witnessed the majestic liftoff with thunderous applause.
XPoSat is designed to investigate the polarization of intense X-ray sources in space, providing valuable insights into celestial objects such as black holes. This satellite marks ISRO’s first dedicated scientific mission for space-based polarimetry measurements of X-ray emissions.
The primary payload, POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-Rays), developed by the Raman Research Institute, and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing), built by the U R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, will measure polarimetry parameters. The mission’s expected lifespan is around five years.
In addition to XPoSat, ISRO has partnered with NASA to launch NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) in the first quarter of 2024. NISAR, built at a cost of $1.5 billion, will be launched aboard India’s GSLV rocket. It will provide crucial data for studying various Earth phenomena, including land ecosystems, solid earth deformation, and polar cryosphere dynamics, on a regional and global scale.
