XPoSat

X-ray Polarimeter Satellite
X-ray Polarimeter satellite (XPoSat) in deployed configuration
NamesXPoSat
Mission typeSpace observatory
OperatorISRO
COSPAR ID2024-001A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.58694Edit this on Wikidata
Websitewww.isro.gov.in/XPoSat.html
Mission durationPlanned : 5 years
Elapsed : 6 months, 26 days [1]
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftX-ray Polarimeter Satellite
BusModified IMS-2[2]
ManufacturerRaman Research Institute
U R Rao Satellite Centre
Launch mass480 kg (1,060 lb)[3]
Payload mass144 kg (317 lb)[3]
Dimensions65 × 65 × 60 cm (26 × 26 × 24 in)
Power1260 watts[3]
Start of mission
Launch date1 January 2024, 9:10 AM IST (3:40 UTC) [4]
RocketPSLV-DL[5][6]
Launch siteSatish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad
ContractorISRO
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Perigee altitude638 km
Apogee altitude653 km
Inclination[3][7]
Period97.61 minutes
Instruments
Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays (POLIX)
X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing (XSPECT)

XPoSat Logo  
XPoSat being tested on Earth

The X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) is an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) manufactured space observatory to study polarisation of cosmic X-rays. It was launched on 1 January 2024 on a PSLV rocket,[8] and it has an expected operational lifespan of at least five years.[9][10]

The telescope was developed by the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in close collaboration with U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC).[11] As per ISRO, this mission will complement the efforts of US space agency NASA, which launched its Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) in 2021 by observing space events across a broad energy range of 2-30 keV.[12][13]

  1. ^ Dutt, Anonna (21 December 2023). "ISRO to usher in New Year with XPoSat launch". The Indian Express. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference GK May 2019 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c d XPoSat User Meet. 25 May 2023. Event occurs at 1 hour 5 minutes 34 seconds.
  4. ^ Mandal, Annu (22 December 2023). "ISRO to launch of XPoSat mission on January 1, 2024, to study polarisation along with NASA". Financial Express. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  5. ^ Volosín, Juan I. Morales. "XPoSat : PSLV-DL". Everyday Astronaut. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  6. ^ "ISRO to study black holes; launch of X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite today". mint. 31 December 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  7. ^ Kumar, Chethan (30 November 2023). "XPoSat set to revolutionize x-ray astronomy: Isro". The Times of India. TNN. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  8. ^ Nigam, Saumya (26 December 2023). "ISRO to launch PSLV-C58 with XPoSAT on January 1 to study black holes, neutron stars | Details". India TV. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  9. ^ "Future Exploration Missions of ISRO" (PDF). Dr. M. Annadurai, Director, ISAC, ISRO. UNCOPUOS 60th Session, Vienna, 2019. ISRO. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  10. ^ "Loksabha Q&A" (PDF). DEPARTMENT OF SPACE. 5 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Isro to illuminate cosmic mysteries of black holes with launch of XPoSat mission". India Today. 6 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  12. ^ Mandal, Annu (22 December 2023). "ISRO to launch of XPoSat mission on January 1, 2024, to study polarisation along with NASA". Financialexpress. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  13. ^ Kumar, Chethan (30 November 2023). "XPoSat set to revolutionize x-ray astronomy: Isro". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 25 December 2023.

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