Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief S Somanath hailed the launch of the space agency’s maiden X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite, PSLV-C58 XPoSat mission from Sriharikota on Monday, saying the New Year has begun with another successful mission of PSLV and will have an exciting time ahead.
Addressing the team members after the launch of the PSLV-C58 XPoSat mission, Somanath said, “ The New Year has begun with the launch of the PSLV, and we will have an exciting time ahead. On January 1, 2024, another successful mission of PSLV has been accomplished. PSLV-C58 has placed the primary satellite – XPoSat – in the intended orbit of 650 km with 6-degree inclination.”
“From this point, the orbit of PSLV 4th stage will be reduced to a lower orbit where the upper stage of PSLV which is described as POEM will carry out experiments with the onboard payloads and that will take some time,” he added.
He further highlighted that the XPoSat mission is unique as X-ray Polarimetry is a unique scientific capability, and the agency has developed internally building instruments.
“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,” Somanath said.
He also said Raman Research Institute made the primary payload of the satellite, and the second payload was made by the Astronomy Group of URSC (U R Rao Satellite Centre).
He also highlighted how various institutions collaborate with the ISRO to develop space missions.
“It shows how ISRO is collaborating with other scientific institutions and developing the capacity to use the data across the academy and other places in specifically science missions,” he said.
