India successfully launches 1st X-ray Polarimeter Satellite

By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) – The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on Monday successfully launched the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite, also known as XPoSat, the country’s first dedicated polarimetry mission to carry out research in space-based polarization measurements of X-ray emissions from celestial sources like black holes.

XPoSat was launched onboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh on Monday at 9.10 am local time (0340GMT), the organization said.

“Lift-off normal. XPoSat satellite is launched successfully,” the ISRO wrote on X, adding that the PSLV-C58 vehicle placed the satellite precisely into the intended orbit.

Ahead of the launch, the space agency said the spacecraft will carry two scientific payloads in a low earth orbit.

“The primary payload POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) will measure the polarimetry parameters…the XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) payload will give spectroscopic information,” it said.

​​​​​​​Today’s mission was planned after the country’s successful moon landing last year. In September, India also launched its first space mission to study the sun.