What is XPoSat? What importance does it hold for India?

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What is XPoSat? What importance does it hold for India?

02 Jan 2024 Zinkpot 141

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) put its first polarimetry mission X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) in a precise circular orbit of 650 km on Monday, January 1 morning after a 21-minute flight.
XPoSat is India's first dedicated polarimetry mission aimed at studying various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions.
The spacecraft carries two scientific payloads in a low Earth orbit. The primary payload, POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays), measures the polarimetry parameters (degree and angle of polarization) in the medium X-ray energy range of 8-30 keV photons of astronomical origin.
The secondary payload, XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing), provides spectroscopic information in the energy range of 0.8-15 keV.
The mission is significant as it will contribute to a better understanding of the emission mechanisms of celestial sources such as black holes, neutron stars, and active galactic nuclei, which originate from complex physical processes and are challenging to understand.
It has an estimated mission life of about five years during which XPoSat will observe sources that emit polarised X-rays. The observations will be done when the magnetars or neutron stars (they are highly magnetic and display a wide array of X-ray activity) are in transit through the Earth’s shadow, for instance, during the eclipse period.
XPoSat is the world's second satellite-based mission dedicated to making X-ray polarimetry measurements, after NASA's Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE). The satellite is expected to have an estimated mission life of about five years
What importance does XPoSat hold for India? XPoSat, India's first dedicated polarimetry mission, is important for several reasons:
- Scientific advancements: XPoSat will contribute to the understanding of the emission mechanisms of celestial sources such as black holes, neutron stars, and active galactic nuclei, which originate from complex physical processes and are challenging to understand.
- Collaboration and expertise: The mission is a collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru, showcasing India's capabilities in building and launching advanced space missions.
- Capacity building: The XPoSat mission is expected to inspire and engage the Indian scientific community, particularly students, to develop expertise in X-ray polarimetry and related fields.
- International collaboration: XPoSat is the world's second satellite-based mission dedicated to making X-ray polarimetry measurements, after NASA's Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE). This collaboration will help India connect with the international astronomy community and contribute to joint research projects.
- Space-based observation platform: XPoSat will serve as a space-based observation platform to study X-ray polarization from bright celestial sources, enhancing our ability to understand the intricate emission processes therefrom.
Overall, XPoSat is important for India as it advances scientific knowledge, fosters collaboration, builds expertise, and contributes to the international astronomy community.