India Successfully Launches X-ray Astronomy Satellite: XPoSat | ISRO

India Successfully Launches X-ray Astronomy Satellite: XPoSat | ISRO

For the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) PSLV-C58 mission, a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in the “DL” configuration (PSLV-DL/2PSOM-XL+ S139) launched the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat), from the First Launch Pad (FLP) of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota, India, on January 1, 2024, at 03:40 UTC (09:10 IST). XPoSat is ISRO’s first dedicated scientific satellite to carry out research in space-based polarization measurements of X-ray emissions from celestial sources.

The 469-kilogram satellite carries two instruments to conduct X-ray polarimetry measurements. Astronomers plan to use the data collected by XPoSat to study neutron stars, black holes and supernovae.

The highlight of 2024 for ISRO, though, will be a series of test flights for its Gaganyaan human spaceflight program. The agency conducted the first such test in October, launching an uncrewed capsule on a suborbital flight to test its launch abort system.

“2024 is going to be the year of Gaganyaan,” S. Somanath, chairman of ISRO, said after the launch, starting with additional abort tests. “This year we are expecting two more such test flights of the test vehicle, followed by the unmanned mission.” This would be an orbital test of the Gaganyaan spacecraft without a crew on board.

Such a schedule implies the first crewed Gaganyaan flight for India would take place no earlier than 2025.

Credit: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

Acknowledgements: SciNews, SpaceNews

Capture Date: Jan. 1, 2024

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