By- Srushti sharma
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that India is preparing to launch its first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat).
The mission is set to explore the polarisation of intense X-ray sources, which will bring a significant new angle to space-based X-ray astronomy in the nation.
While spectroscopy, time-domain research, and imaging are the main areas of focus for India's space-based X-ray astronomy programme
The XPoSat mission is expected to significantly advance X-ray astronomy by adding a new dimension.
Designed to observe from a Low Earth Orbit, the spacecraft will carry two scientific
Simultaneous studies of bright X-ray source temporal, spectral, and polarisation features will be carried out by the payload.
The mission is expected to last for about five years, during which time the payloads will observe X-ray sources as the spacecraft passes through Earth's shadow—that is, during the eclipse period.
With assistance from several ISRO centres, the Raman Research Institute in Bengaluru developed the primary payload, POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays),
It intends to measure polarimetry parameters in the medium X-ray energy range.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is expected to launch the XPoSat from Sriharikota's Satish Dhawan Space Centre..