The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to initiate the year 2024 with the launch of XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) on January 1. This mission marks India’s first dedicated XPoSat, aiming to explore the polarization of intense X-ray sources and unravel the mysteries of the enigmatic world of black holes.
“XPoSat is India’s first dedicated polarimetry mission to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions,” as stated by the space agency. The satellite is scheduled to be launched aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
Details of the XPoSat Mission:
**Launch Date, Time, and Venue:**
The PSLV-C58/EXPOSAT Mission by ISRO is set to launch XPoSat at 09:10 hrs IST on Monday, January 1, 2024. The launch will take place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
**Mission Objectives:**
1. **Polarimetry Measurement:** The primary payload, POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays), will measure polarimetry parameters (degree and angle of polarization) in the medium X-ray energy range of 8-30 keV photons from astronomical sources through Thomson Scattering.
2. **Spectroscopic Information:** The XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) payload will provide spectroscopic information in the energy range of 0.8-15 keV, conducting long-term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic X-ray sources.
**Mission Goals:**
1. Measure polarization of X-rays in the energy band of 8-30 keV from approximately 50 potential cosmic sources using the POLIX payload.
2. Conduct long-term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic X-ray sources in the energy band of 0.8-15 keV using the XSPECT payload.
3. Carry out polarisation and spectroscopic measurements of X-ray emissions from cosmic sources by POLIX and XSPECT payloads, respectively, in the common energy band.
4. Study the distribution of magnetic fields, geometric anisotropies, alignment with respect to the line of sight, and the nature of accelerators in galactic cosmic X-ray sources.
5. Understand the structure and geometry of the magnetic field of neutron stars, the mechanism of X-Ray beaming, and its relation to luminosity and mass of accretion rate of powered pulsars.
6. Gain insights into galactic black hole binary sources.
7. Investigate and confirm the production of X-Rays either from the polar cap of a neutron star or the outer cap of a pulsar magnetosphere.
8. Distinguish the dominance of the synchrotron mechanism over thermal emission in Supernova remnants.
In essence, the XPoSat mission represents a significant step in advancing India’s capabilities in space research and exploration, particularly in the field of X-ray astronomy.
