India set to launch X-ray Polarimeter Satellite, says ISRO

• India has established space-based X-Ray astronomy with a focus on imaging, time-domain studies, and spectroscopy, XPoSat introduces a significant value addition.

Key Points

• The mission aims to explore a novel dimension in X-Ray astronomy, generating excitement within the scientific community.

Orbit and Payloads

• XPoSat will orbit in Low Earth Orbit at approximately 650 km altitude with a low inclination of around six degrees.
• Equipped with two scientific payloads, the mission enables simultaneous studies of temporal, spectral, and polarization features of bright X-Ray sources.

Mission Objectives

• Measurement of X-Ray polarization in the energy band of 8-30 keV from X-Ray sources.
• Long-term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic X-Ray sources in the energy band of 0.8-15 keV.
• Anticipated mission life is around five years.

Observation during Eclipse:

• The payloads will observe X-Ray sources during the spacecraft’s transit through the Earth’s shadow, specifically during the eclipse period.

Prelims Takeaway

• X-Ray polarization