Explore the New Horizons with ISRO’s XPoSat Mission!

India is preparing to take a major step forward in space-based X-ray astronomy as it prepares to launch its inaugural X-ray polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat). Led by ISRO, this mission seeks to study the polarization of powerful X-ray sources, and in doing so, ISRO is poised to set a new standard in the realm of astronomy. To learn more about ISRO’s XPoSat mission, click here.

X-ray Polarimetry Satellite (XPoSat) mission

The X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) is designed to be observed from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of about 650 km and an inclination range of about 6 degrees. As mentioned on ISRO’s official website, XPoSat will carry two science payloads designed for the simultaneous study of temporal, spectral and polarization properties of bright X-ray sources. The mission’s primary payload, POLIX (polarimeter Instrument in X-rays), was developed by the Raman Research Institute in Bengaluru with support from ISRO centers. It focuses on measuring polarimetric parameters in the medium X-ray energy range 8-30 keV. In addition, the XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) payload provides spectroscopic information in the energy range 0.8-15 keV. It was developed by U R Rao Satellite Center (URSC).

Main objectives

The goals of the XPoSat mission are multifaceted. Its goal is to measure the polarization of X-rays from X-ray sources emitting in the 8-30 keV energy band and to perform long-term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic X-ray sources in the 0.8-15 keV energy band. The estimated life of the mission is about five years, during which the payloads will observe X-ray sources as the spacecraft passes through the Earth’s shadow, especially during the eclipse period.

One of the key aspects highlighting the importance of XPoSat is its role as a diagnostic instrument for studying the radiation mechanism and geometry of astronomical sources. ISRO emphasizes that researchers can use XPoSat technology to calculate the mass and spin of accreting black holes, study accretion flow, outflow and jets, estimate strong magnetic fields, and reveal the radiation belt and particle acceleration processes of pulsars by studying X-ray polarization signatures. .

To maximize scientific results, ISRO organized a one-day user meeting on 25 May. About 20 institutes and universities from different parts of the country will participate in the meeting. The meeting was attended by nearly 150 participants, of which nearly 100 attended in person and the rest joined via the online platform.

The launch of XPoSat is set to improve our understanding of emission processes from various astronomical sources, which could provide unprecedented insights into the physics of objects such as black holes and neutron stars. The ISRO spacecraft will begin its mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, carried into space by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).