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X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPOSAT)

stylish lining

ISRO's XPoSat was successfully launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

About- India's inaugural scientific satellite to measure space-based polarization of X-ray emissions from celestial sources such as black holes and neutron stars in the medium energy band (8-30 keV).

  • Orbit location - Low earth orbit (650 km), low inclination of 6 degree)
  • Launch vehicle - PSLV C58
  • Mission life - 5 years
  • Payloads - The satellite carries 2 payloads.

Payloads

Usage

Developed by

POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays)

An advanced X-ray camera that captures image and measures unique X-ray vibrations

Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru

XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing)

A scientific detective, examining the colours and timing of X-rays

UR Rao Satellite Centre's (URSC's) Space Astronomy Group, Bengaluru

XPoSAT is the 2nd spacecraft in the world which will study celestial bodies using polarimetric techniques, after NASA's Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE).

PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM)

  • The fourth stage of PSLV (PS4), also called the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) will perform orbital experiments.Since this is the 3rd time ISRO has used PS4 to exhibit orbital experiments, XPoSAT's PS4 is called POEM-3.
  • The spent PS4 stage will be used to conduct in-orbit scientific experiments in microgravity conditions for an extended duration of 4-6 months.
  • It derives power from the solar panels mounted around the PS4 tank and a Lithium-ion battery.
  • POEM-3 is equipped with 10 payloads.

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