The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) celebrated the new year with a powerful launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) carrying the XPoSat mission. The PSLV-C58 mission took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 9:10 am IST, marking the beginning of the year.
India's highly successful launch vehicle once again accomplished its mission by placing the satellite into its designated orbit around Earth. This will enable the satellite to observe various mysterious phenomena in the universe, such as black holes.
"On January 1, 2024, yet another successful mission of PSLV has been accomplished. PSLV-C58 has placed the primary satellite - XPoSat - in the intended orbit of 650 km with 6-degree inclination," says ISRO chairperson S Somanath on launch of space agency's maiden X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite. as quoted by PTI
What is 'XPoSat' mission?
India's first foray into polarimetry is the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat). It aims to investigate the behaviour of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions. Polarimetry involves studying the polarization of X-rays emitted by celestial objects in the universe.
When examining luminous astronomical X-ray sources, such as neutron stars, black holes, or other high-energy phenomena, polarimetry assists scientists in acquiring further understanding beyond what conventional imaging or spectroscopy can offer. By quantifying the polarization of X-rays, researchers can gain deeper insights into the magnetic fields, geometry, and emission mechanisms connected to these dynamic entities.
ISRO is the second space agency, following NASA, to have a specialized spacecraft that studies the characteristics of black holes. The polarimetry mission's objective is to examine the polarization of X-rays emitted by celestial sources, which can provide insights into the structure and conditions of these objects.
Since 1975, ISRO has achieved a remarkable feat by launching nearly 150 satellites, with most of these missions being highly successful.
Read also: ISRO To Launch XPoSAT On Jan 1, As Country's First Polarimetry Mission
(With inputs from agencies)
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