India successfully enters the X-ray polarization observation satellite “XPoSat” into orbit; First rocket launch in 2024 | Satellite portal website sorae

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched the X-ray polarimetry satellite 'XPoSat (X-ray Polarimetry Satellite)' on January 1, 2024, Japan time, on the 'PSLV-C58' mission.

The PSLV-DL missile was launched from the center. According to ISRO, the satellite was successfully launched into its orbit at an altitude of 650 km 22 minutes after its launch.

XPoSat is India's first X-ray polarization monitoring satellite, and its purpose is to measure the polarization of X-rays emitted by celestial bodies. According to ISRO, the data obtained from the observations will be used to study neutron stars, black holes and supernovae.

The XPoSat is equipped with an X-ray polarizer “POLIX (X-ray Polarimetry Instrument)” and an X-ray spectrometer “XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing)”. POLIX was developed by the Indian Raman Institute, which conducts research in astrophysics, and XSPECT was developed by the Space Astronomy Group of the Ur Rao Satellite Center (formerly ISRO Satellite Centre). The satellite mission is expected to last about five years.

In addition, the fourth stage of PSLV is equipped with the orbital platform experimental module “POEM-3 (PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3)”. POEM-3 is a module that uses the upper stage of the rocket after satellite separation as a platform for scientific experiment equipment. This time, it will carry 10 payloads, including equipment from ISRO, KJ Sarja Institute of Technology, and private Indian company Bellatrix Aerospace, and will conduct tests in orbit. The POEM was also used on the “PSLV-C53” mission on June 30, 2022, and the “PSLV-C55” mission on April 22, 2023, making it the third mission.

After the satellite was launched, PSLV-DL's fourth stage, PS4, injected two engines and lowered its altitude to 350 km. This means lowering altitude and re-entering the atmosphere to prevent the rocket's spent upper stage from turning into debris in Earth's orbit.

This mission was the first worldwide launch of the rocket in 2024. The PSLV-DL used in the launch was equipped with two solid fuel boosters, and this was the fourth launch. This was the 60th launch of the PSLV series.

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• Image credit: ISRO
• ISRO – PSLV-C58/XPoSat mission
• ISRO – X-ray Polarimetry Satellite (XPoSat)
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