ISRO Marks Historic Start to 2024 with XPoSat Launch

In a momentous beginning to the new year, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) on Monday, January 1. The satellite, lifting off at 9:10 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, represents a significant stride in India's space exploration endeavors.

Following the Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L1 missions, ISRO's XPoSat mission takes center stage as the nation's next leap in space exploration. This landmark project positions India as the second country globally, after the United States, to deploy a specialized astronomy observatory dedicated to studying black holes and neutron stars within our galaxy.

XPoSat is not just another satellite; it is the first dedicated scientific satellite from ISRO designed for space-based polarization measurements of X-ray emissions from celestial sources. The mission sets out to measure polarization in the energy band of 8-30 keV, originating from approximately 50 potential cosmic sources. This venture aims to conduct long-term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic X-ray sources, delving into the intricacies of black holes and neutron stars.

The primary payload of XPoSat is the POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-Rays), designed by the Raman Research Institute, and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing), crafted by the U R Rao Satellite Centre, Bengaluru. These instruments play a crucial role in measuring polarimetry parameters, offering insights into the radiation mechanism and geometry of celestial sources.

While ISRO leads the XPoSat mission, the United States' National Aeronautics Space Agency (NASA) has previously conducted a similar study through the Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer mission in December 2021. Both endeavors contribute to a deeper understanding of cosmic events, including remnants of supernova explosions and particle streams emitted by black holes.

The launch of XPoSat marks ISRO's New Year gift to the world. Building on the success of the Gaganyaan Test Vehicle D1 mission in October, India has made remarkable strides in space exploration throughout 2023. Achievements include the soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the south pole of the Moon and the launch of Aditya-L1, India's first solar mission.

Looking ahead, India aims to achieve milestones such as the Gaganyaan Mission, establishing the 'Bharatiya Antariksha Station' by 2035, and sending the first Indian to the Moon by 2040. XPoSat, with its cutting-edge scientific capabilities, positions ISRO at the forefront of global space exploration efforts.

In addition to XPoSat, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) carried 10 more payloads, showcasing a diverse range of projects developed by start-ups, educational institutions, and ISRO centers. These include initiatives like the Women Engineered Satellite (WESAT), Dust Experiment (DEX), and Launching Expeditions for Aspiring Technologies -Technology Demonstrator (LEAP-TD).

In summary, ISRO's successful launch of XPoSat sets a promising tone for India's space exploration efforts in 2024, further solidifying its position in the global space community. As the scientific community eagerly awaits the data and discoveries XPoSat will uncover, the mission marks a testament to India's prowess in space research and technology.

Credits: ISRO to launch XPoSat and 10 other payloads on January 1 - The Hindu,PSLV-C58 XPoSat: India launches satellite to study black holes from Sriharikota | Latest News India - Hindustan Times

Edited by: www.linkedin.com/in/shri-sanjay-i-s