ISRO XPoSat launch highlights: Satellite injected; ‘new year begins’, says Somanath

On Monday, ISRO achieved the successful launch of its first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite, promising valuable insights into celestial objects such as black holes.

ISRO's dependable Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), in its C58 mission, flawlessly positioned the primary X-Ray Polarimeter satellite, XPoSat, into its intended 650km Low Earth Orbit. This launch occurred at the predetermined time of 9:10 am, lifting off from the first launch pad in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

"As we enter the New Year, we are elated to witness the successful launch of the PSLV-C58/ XPoSat Mission by @isro. It is India's first dedicated polarimetry mission to study the various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions. Many congratulations to all our scientists, space engineers, researchers and ground staff for their ingenuity and unwavering commitment," Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge posted from his official handle on X on New Year's Day.

One of the experiments intended on PSLV Orbital Experimental Module involves testing FCPS. Fuel cells function similarly to batteries, but they do not deplete or require recharging. They generate electricity and heat as long as fuel, such as hydrogen, is provided.

ISRO's decision to test FCPS in the lower orbit aligns with a broader strategy to validate technologies crucial for the proposed Indian Space Station's success.

Union home minister Amit Shah congratulated ISRO scientists on the successful launch of satellite XPoSat to study black holes and neutron stars, on the very first day of the New Year.

"Brightening up the cosmos in pursuit of knowledge on the very first day of 2024 you have proven yet again that your might is our pride," Amit Shah wrote on his X timeline.

"Congratulations to our @isro scientists on the historic launch of specialized astronomy observatory satellite XPoSat to study black holes and neutron stars in our galaxy."

At 9.10 am, the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) to study X-ray emission from various celestial sources was launched successfully, and its lift-off was normal.

Addressing the scientists after the successful launch of the mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief S Somanath said the PSLV-C58 vehicle placed the satellite precisely into the intended orbit of 650 km, with a 6-degree inclination.

"From this point, the orbit of the PSLV will be reduced to a lower orbit, where the upper stage of the PSLV which is now described as POEM will carry out experiments with nine of the onboard payloads and that will take some time," Somanath added.

It is India's first observation of black holes, though other countries have done such studies earlier.

ISRO Chairman S Somnath says "Only in 12 months (in 2024), we have to have a minimum of 12 missions on our target. It may exceed depending upon our ability to produce hardware, complete the testing and if things go well. If it is not going well, there could be an impact. Otherwise, we are getting ready for at least 12-14 missions..."

ANI

Bhubaneswar, Odisha: On ISRO's PSLV-C58 XPoSat mission, space scientist Dr Suvendu Patnaik says "ISRO has successfully launched the satellite through its landmark rocket PSLV-C58. It has the objective of studying the X-rays coming from various parts of the Universe. Previously we had already launched vehicles for Chandrayaan and Solar studies..."

ANI

The experiments to be performed on POEM

1. Bellatrix Aerospace, based in Bengaluru, will test Rudra 0.3 HPGP, a green monopropellant thruster, and ARKA-200, a heater-less hollow cathode for Hall thrusters.

2. InspeCity Space Labs, located in Mumbai and incubated by IIT Bombay, will test the Green Impulse TrAnsmitter (GITA), a green bipropellant CubeSat propulsion unit.

3. TakeMe2Space from Hyderabad will test its Radiation Shielding Experimental Module (RSEM) designed to evaluate the effectiveness of Tantalum coating, enhancing CubeSat lifespan.

4. Thiruvananthapuram-based LBS Institute of Technology for Women contributed the Women Engineered Satellite (WESAT), measuring solar irradiance and UV Index.

5. KJ Somaiya Institute of Technology in Mumbai features BeliefSat-0, an amateur radio satellite, onboard POEM.

6. ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) has two payloads, the Fuel Cell Power System (FCPS) and Silicon-based High Energy Cell, onboard POEM.

7. The Ahmedabad-based Physical Research Laboratory has sent the Dust Experiment (DEX) on POEM, designed to measure interplanetary dust count.

ISRO Chairman S Somanath says "2024 is going to be the year for Gaganyaan readiness...Along with that, we will have a helicopter-based drop test to prove the Parachute systems, there will be multiple drop tests. We also will have many hundreds of valuation tests. So it is going to be a Gaganyaan year. Along with that, we are going to have launches of GSLV.."

“The PS4 stage is successfully brought down to a 350 km orbit,” said ISRO in the mission update.

On PSLV-C58 XPoSat mission, ISRO chief S Somanath says, "It's a unique mission as X-ray Polarimetry is a unique scientific capability we have developed internally building instruments. We want to create 100 scientists who can understand this aspect and then contribute to the knowledge of black holes to the world."

"Aditya L1 will reach the L1 point on 6th January and we will do the final manoeuvres then," adds ISRO chief.

ANI

The objective of the PSLV-C58 mission includes measuring polarisation of X-rays in the energy band 8-30 keV emanating from about 50 potential cosmic sources, to carry out long term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic x-ray sources. The X-Ray polarisation serves as a crucial diagnostic tool for examining the radiation mechanism and geometry of celestial sources.

ISRO on Monday successfully launched its maiden X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite that would offer several insights into celestial objects like black holes.

ISRO's ever reliable Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in its C58 mission, placed the primary X-Ray Polarimeter satellite XPoSat into a 650 Km Low Earth Orbit as intended after lifting off at the pre-fixed time of 9.10 am from the first launch pad here. As the 25-hour countdown concluded, the 44.4-metre tall rocket lifted off majestically with thunderous applause from spectators who had descended here in large numbers at this spaceport situated about 135 km east of Chennai. The X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) is aimed to investigate the polarisation of intense X-ray sources in space. According to ISRO, it is the first dedicated scientific satellite from the space agency to carry out research in space-based polarisation measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources.

PTI

“The new year has begun with the launch of the PSLV, and we will have an exciting time ahead. This year has just begun, and we will have many more launches. Besides, 2024 is going to be the year of Mission Gaganyaan,” said ISRO chairperson S Somanath.

XPoSat is operating within normal health parameters, and power generation has successfully commenced, updates ISRO.

“ISRO begins 2024 in Style! Successful launch of PSLV-C58/ XPoSat Mission. Proud to be associated with the Department of Space at a time when Team ISRO continues to accomplish one success after the other, with the personal intervention & patronage from PM Narendra Modi,” says MoS Jitendra Singh.

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Following XPoSat's injection into a 650km, 6-degree orbit, the PS4 stage will undergo an orbit change, descending to a 350km, ~9.6-degree orbit through two restarts.

The remaining propellant in the PS4 will be safely disposed of during this process, with oxidizer released first, followed by fuel in a predetermined sequence. The established method of passivating the spent stage through tank pressure venting will be executed.

Once passivation is complete, control of the stage is handed over to POEM Avionics. This strategic process sets the stage for future atmospheric re-entry experiments.

XPoSat satellite successfully inserted into a 650 km orbit with a 6-degree inclination.

ISRO XPoSat launch vehicle is performing as normal in the last phase.

ISRO XPoSat launch enters into fourth phase, vehicle performance going as normal.

XPoSat launch has entered in its third phase, mission going as normal.