ISRO Successfully Launches XPoSat for Groundbreaking X-ray Research

Sriharikota: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) commenced the new year with a remarkable achievement, launching the PSLV-C58 carrying the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) on January 1, 2024. In its 60th mission, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) soared into the skies at 9:10 a.m. from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Approximately 22 minutes later, the PSLV-C58 successfully deployed the XPoSat into a low inclination orbit.

ISRO Chairman S. Somnath, addressing the success of the mission, stated, “On January 1, 2024, yet another successful mission of the PSLV has been accomplished. The PSLV-C58 has placed the primary satellite, XPoSat, in the desired orbit of 650 km with a six-degree inclination.”

XPoSat marks a significant milestone as the first dedicated scientific satellite from ISRO, designed for pioneering research in space-based polarization measurements of X-ray emissions from celestial sources. The satellite carries two key payloads, POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) developed by Raman Research Institute (RRI) Bengaluru, and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) developed by the Space Astronomy Group of URSC, Bengaluru.

The successful deployment of XPoSat reinforces ISRO’s commitment to advancing space-based research and contributing to our understanding of celestial phenomena through state-of-the-art technology and scientific instrumentation.