isro-set-to-launch-xposat-mission-on-new-year-s-day

The Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) is all set to launch the XpoSat (X-ray polarimeter satellite) abroad the PSLV-C58 on new year's day.

 

On 31 st december, 2023, affirming the enthusiasm, ISRO posted on 'X' "The launch is set for January 1, 2024, at 09:10 Hrs. IST from the first launch-pad, SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota"

 

"This marks a historic milestone for India as XPoSat becomes the nation's inaugural dedicated polarimetry mission aimed at unravelling the mysteries of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions", ISRO stated.

 

XpoSat will be equipped with two cutting-edge scientific payloads destined for a low earth orbit. The primary payload, POLIX (Polarimeter instrument in X-rays), which is designed to measure the polarimetry parameters, specifically the degree and angle of polarization, the the medium X-ray energy being 8-30 keV photons of astronomical origin. This X-ray polarimeter has been developed by the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in collaboration with UR Rao sattelite centre(URSC).

 

Additionally, complementing POLIX is the XSPECT(an X-ray spectroscopy and timing) payload, which will provide crucial spectroscopic information within the energy range of 0.8-15 keV.the XSPECT payload, an X-ray spectroscopy and timing instrument, promises fast timing capabilities and high spectroscopic resolution in soft X-rays.