Bengaluru: India is gearing up to launch its inaugural X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat), as announced by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The mission aims to delve into the polarisation of intense X-Ray sources.
While previous endeavours in India have predominantly focused on imaging, time-domain studies, and spectroscopy, the XPoSat mission introduces a groundbreaking dimension to X-Ray astronomy.
The XPoSat spacecraft is set to orbit in Low Earth Orbit at an altitude of approximately ~650 km and a low inclination of around six degrees. It will be carrying two scientific payloads. These payloads enable simultaneous studies of temporal, spectral, and polarisation features of bright X-Ray sources.
The mission’s primary objectives include measuring X-Ray polarisation in the 8-30 keV energy band and conducting long-term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic X-Ray sources in the 0.8-15 keV energy band. With an anticipated mission life of five years, XPoSat’s payloads will observe X-Ray sources during the spacecraft’s transit through Earth’s shadow, particularly during eclipse periods.
The primary payload, POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays), developed by the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in Bengaluru with support from various ISRO centres, is designed to measure the degree and angle of polarisation in the medium X-ray energy range.
The secondary payload, XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing), developed by the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), ISRO, will provide spectroscopic information within the 0.8-15 keV energy range.
The XPoSat mission is scheduled to be launched by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota.
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