ISRO Releases Video Of XPoSAT In Space After Separation From PSLV-C58. WATCH
XPoSAT is special because it is India's first mission to study black holes, and also the nation's first polarimetry mission to study the dynamics of bright astronomical X-rays in extreme conditions.
XPoSAT: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has shared a video of the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSAT) in space. India launched XPoSAT on January 1, 2024, atop a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), as part of the PSLV-C58 mission, the rocket's 60th mission. The video released on X (formerly Twitter) shows XPoSAT separating from the PSLV-C58 rocket after payload fairing separation, and the satellite being injected into low-Earth orbit.
The cameras onboard PSLV-C58 captured these views.
PSLV-C58 on board camera views. #XPoSat pic.twitter.com/vOtaLvGqAj
— ISRO (@isro) January 1, 2024
More about XPoSAT, and POEM
XPoSAT is special because it is India's first mission to study black holes and neutron stars, and also the nation's first dedicated polarimetry mission to study the dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions. This means that the spacecraft will analyse X-ray sources of celestial bodies such as black holes, neutron stars, active galactic nuclei, and pulsar wind nebulae by measuring the beams of light in which the vibrations of electromagnetic waves are confined to one plane.
The 2024 New Year's Day launch is the first orbital launch attempt of the year, and ISRO's 92nd mission overall. XPoSAT blasted off into space at 9:10 am IST on January 1, from the First Launch Pad, Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
PSLV-C58 has placed XPoSAT into a 650-kilometre orbit with a six-degree inclination towards Earth. This is an eastward low-inclination orbit.
ALSO READ | What Is XPoSAT? First-Of-Its-Kind ISRO Mission That Will Study Black Holes, Neutron Stars And More
PS4, the fourth stage of PSLV, has been lowered to a 350-kilometre orbit.
This means that PS4 had to be ignited for a second time after XPoSAT had been injected into the intended orbit.
PS4 is also called PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM). Since this is the third time ISRO is using PSLV's fourth stage to perform orbital experiments, XPoSAT's PS4 is called POEM-3.
POEM-3 is equipped with 10 payloads, which have been produced by ISRO and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe).
PSLV-C53, launched on June 30, 2022, and PSLV-C55, launched on April 22, 2023, are the second and third ISRO missions to carry POEM.
During PSLV-C55, the spent fourth stage, or the PS4 stage, was utilised as an orbital platform to carry out scientific experiments through non-separating payloads belonging to ISRO, Bellatrix, Indian Institute of Astrophysics, and Dhruva Space. The PS4 stage will remain stable in space.
POEM's expected period of operation is one month.
ALSO READ | Why Astronauts Aboard International Space Station Can Celebrate New Year’s Day 16 Times
POEM, which derives power from the solar panels mounted around the PS4 tank and a Lithium-ion battery, navigates using four sun sensors, a magnetometer, gyroscopes, and NavIC. A gyroscope is a device used for measuring orientation and angular velocity, and is built into compasses on ships and aircraft. NavIC is the acronym for Navigation with Indian Constellation, and is the operational name for Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), which is an independent regional navigation satellite system providing accurate real-time positioning and timing services to users in the country as well as regions extending up to 1,500 kilometres from its boundary.
POEM carries dedicated control thrusters using Helium gas storage, and is enabled with a telecommand feature.
ISRO said in a mission update that XPoSAT's health is normal, and power generation has begun.
Two scientific payloads onboard XPoSAT will study interesting celestial objects.
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