The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) welcomed the new year by launching its first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) from Sriharikota. This satellite aims to provide valuable insights into celestial objects like black holes.
Launch Details:
The satellite was carried by a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle rocket (PSLV-C58) in its 60th mission. The lift-off took place at 9:10 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh after a 25-hour countdown.
Mission Objectives:
The primary goal of the PSLV-C58 mission is to measure the polarization of X-rays in the 8-30 keV energy band from around 50 cosmic sources through Thomson Scattering by POLIX payload. The mission also involves long-term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic X-ray sources.
The mission includes scientific experiments using payloads like POLIX and XSPECT to measure X-ray polarization, conduct long-term studies of cosmic X-ray sources, and perform polarisation and spectroscopic measurements of X-ray emissions from cosmic sources.
ISRO’s Achievement:
Minutes after the launch, ISRO confirmed that the lift-off was normal. The PSLV-C58 rocket placed the XPoSat satellite precisely into its intended orbit, 650 km above Earth, with a 6-degree inclination.
Rocket Details:
The rocket used for this mission is the PSLV-DL variant, with a lift-off mass of 260 tonnes. The fourth stage of the rocket is configured as a 3-axis stabilized Orbital platform for conducting experiments.
Other Payloads:
Apart from XPoSat, the rocket carried 10 other satellites, including the Radiation Shielding Experiment Module, Women Engineered Satellite, BeliefSat (an amateur radio satellite), Green Impulse Transmitter, LEATTD, RUDRA 0.3HPGP, ARKA 200, Dust Experiment (DEX), and Fuel Cell Power System.
Deployment Details:
The PSLV rocket deployed the primary satellite into a 650 km Low Earth Orbit around 21 minutes after lift-off. Scientists plan to bring the satellite to a lower altitude of about 350 km for the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3 (POEM-3) experiment by restarting the fourth stage.
In summary, ISRO’s XPoSat mission marks a significant step in understanding celestial phenomena, particularly black holes, through advanced space-based research.
Positive Takeaway
ISRO’s successful launch of XPoSat represents a remarkable achievement in space exploration. The mission’s primary focus is a testament to India’s growing prowess in space research. The precise deployment of XPoSat into its intended orbit, along with the inclusion of diverse scientific experiments on the PSLV-C58 rocket, showcases ISRO’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and contributing significantly to our understanding of the universe.
This mission not only expands the scientific community’s insights into cosmic X-ray sources but also reinforces ISRO’s position as a key player in the global space exploration arena.
