After Chandrayaan-3, ISRO again created history, launched XPoSAT satellite

In the new year, India has created history in space. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched the country's first and the world's second polarimetric astronomical satellite (Exposat) on January 1, the first day of the year 2024, at 9.10 am. This satellite will study black holes, neutron stars, pulsar stars and active galaxies in deep space. This satellite will keep an eye on the X-ray emissions from these astronomical sources. Today PSLV-C58 EXPOSAT, an X-ray Polarimeter satellite and 10 other payloads were launched.

After Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L-1, ISRO has launched its third scientific mission in just 6 months. This satellite was launched by PSLV C-58 from the first launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Center located in Sriharikota. 22 minutes after launch, Exposat will be placed in 650 km upper Earth orbit. Exosat is the world's second polarimetric satellite. Earlier, the American space agency NASA launched the X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) in the year 2021.

After this, the fourth stage (PS-4) of PSLV will be brought into a 350 km lower orbit. For this, the engine of the PS-4 will be started and stopped twice. While bringing PS-4 into lower orbit, the remaining fuel will be used through the main engine. During this, oxidizer will be used first and then fuel will be used. This will be done keeping in mind future re-entry missions.

Passivation of the PS-4 was done by releasing tank pressure during the first mission and that process will also run concurrently. After passivation, PS-4 will be controlled through PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) avionics.

A total of ten payloads are fitted in POEM which will perform various experiments. Three of these payloads belong to ISRO. This is the fourth time that the last stage of PS-4 will be used for various experiments. The PS-4 is also equipped with lithium-ion batteries and solar panels for use as a satellite platform. Navigation and control will be through POEM avionics. Before the launch, ISRO officials on Sunday visited Tirumala and offered prayers at the Tirupati Balaji temple as per tradition.

ISRO, which successfully sent Chandrayaan to the Moon, is now preparing for the Sun mission also this year. Along with this, there are also preparations for human missions. For this also, launch and training work is going on. ISRO is engaged in making the Sun Exploration Mission successful in 2024.