X-ray Polarimeter Satellite : ISRO Set To Launched
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that India is set to launch its first X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat).
- X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) is India’s first dedicated polarimetry mission to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions.
- It is aiming to investigate the polarisation of intense X-ray sources.
- The spacecraft will carry two scientific payloads in a low earth orbit.
- POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays): It will measure the polarimetry parameters (degree and angle of polarisation) in a medium X-ray energy range of 8-30 keV for photons of astronomical origin.
- XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) payload: It will give spectroscopic information in the energy range of 0.8-15 keV.
- It is designated for observation from a Low Earth Orbit (non-sun synchronous orbit of ~650 km altitude, low inclination of approximately six degrees).
- The mission life is expected to be approximately five years.
- The payloads onboard XPoSat will observe the X-ray sources during the spacecraft’s transit through the Earth’s shadow, i.e., during the eclipse period.
- It will be launched by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
