On New Year’s Day, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSAT) from Sriharikota, marking a significant step in exploring the mysteries of black holes. Here are 10 key facts about this groundbreaking mission:
•The launch took place at 9:10 am, using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), which successfully placed XPoSAT into its intended orbit of 650 km with a 6-degree inclination.
•The launch was described as a “textbook launch” by astrophysicist Dipankar Bhattacharya, with the satellite achieving the expected orbit for conducting scientific studies.
•The mission marked the 60th flight of the PSLV and positions India as only the second country, after the US, to have an observatory dedicated to studying black holes.
•XPoSAT is equipped with two payloads: POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing). These instruments will help study radiation from near black holes and neutron stars.
•The satellite will measure the polarisation of X-rays in the energy band of 8-30keV using the POLIX payload, which employs Thomson Scattering.
•XPoSAT will conduct long-term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic X-ray sources, unraveling mysteries related to the life cycle of stars and the formation of black holes and neutron stars.
•The mission aims to gather information on the ultra-extreme environments in space, particularly the gravitational forces near black holes and the high densities of neutron stars.
•The total cost of the XPoSAT satellite is approximately ₹250 crore (around $30 million), making it a cost-effective venture. Its expected lifespan is over five years, compared to the NASA IXPE (Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer), which cost $188 million and has a two-year lifespan.
•Former ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair highlighted the reliability and cost-effectiveness of the PSLV rocket system, emphasizing its successful track record since 1993.
The success of the XPoSAT launch adds to ISRO’s achievements in 2023, including the successful Chandrayaan mission. Looking ahead to 2024, ISRO is gearing up for the Gaganyaan launch, India’s first human spaceflight program.
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