The XPoSat mission was successfully launched by ISRO using the PSLV-C58.

The XPoSat mission was successfully launched by ISRO using the PSLV-C58.

Credit: Isro Xposat

In its 60th mission, the PSLV took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 9.10 a.m. Following the launch, the XPoSat was successfully deployed into a low inclination orbit towards the east after 22 minutes.

"After the successful launch on January 1, 2024, the PSLV-C58 mission has achieved another milestone," stated ISRO Chairman S. Somnath. "The primary satellite, XPoSat, has been placed in the desired orbit of 650 km with a six-degree inclination."

XPoSat is the first scientific satellite dedicated to conducting research on X-ray emission from celestial sources using space-based polarization measurements. It carries two payloads, POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) developed by Raman Research Institute (RRI) Bengaluru, and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) developed by the Space Astronomy Group of URSC, Bengaluru.

India's successful launch of XPoSat has elevated the country to an esteemed position, as it becomes the second nation to send an observatory for studying astronomical phenomena like black holes and neutron stars.

During the mission, the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3 (POEM-3) experiment was conducted to fulfill the objective of ten other payloads.

After injecting XPoSat into a 650 km, 6-degree orbit, the PS4 stage will be maneuvered to a lower orbit of approximately 350 km and a ~9.6-degree inclination by restarting the PS4 engine twice. The PS4 stage serves as a 3-axis stabilized orbital platform for conducting experiments with space-qualified systems and innovative ideas.

Additionally, the PSLV also launched ten payloads developed by start-ups, educational institutions, and ISRO centers. These include the Radiation Shielding Experimental Module (RSEM) by TakeMe2Space, Women Engineered Satellite (WESAT) by LBS Institute of Technology for Women, BeliefSat-0 Amateur radio satellite by K.J. Somaiya Institute of Technology, Green Impulse Transmitter (GITA) by Inspecity Space Labs Private Limited, Launching Expeditions for Aspiring Payloads - Technology Demonstrator (LEAP-TD) by Dhruva Space Private Limited, and RUDRA 0.3 HPGP by Bellatrix Aerospace.