ISRO to Launch XPoSat: India’s First Satellite to Study Black Holes

The Indian Space Research Organization is set to launch its first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite on January 1, 2024, onboard a PSLV rocket. The satellite will study the polarization of X-rays from celestial sources like black holes. The launch comes after the success of its Gaganyaan Test Vehicle D1 mission in October. The PSLV-C58 rocket, in its 60th mission, would carry primary payload XPoSat and 10 other satellites to be deployed in low earth orbits. The 25-hour countdown commenced on Sunda islands

XPoSat’s objectives and benefits-

The satellite will measure the polarisation of X-rays in the energy band 8-30 keV from about 50 potential cosmic sources. This will help to understand the radiation mechanism and geometry of these sources, as well as to advance the field of X-ray astronomy in India and globally.

PSLV-C58 mission details -