​Isro rings in new year with successful PSLV-C58 launch

Isro on Monday successfully launched its maiden X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite that would offer several insights into celestial objects like black holes.(Image source: PTI)

PSLV-C58 lifted off from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 9.10am. (Image source: PTI)

The launch was PSLV’s 60th flight and fourth flight of PSLV with DL variant.(Image source: X)

The 10 payloads are from TakeMe2Space, LBS Institute Technology for Women, K.J. Somaiya Institute of Technology, Inspecity Space Labs Private Ltd, Dhruva Space Private Ltd, Bellatrix Aerospace Private Ltd (two payloads) and three payloads from the ISRO. (Image source: X)

The agency said that the spacecraft will carry out X-ray polarisation measurements on celestial objects like black holes, neutron stars and active galactic nuclei. (Image source: PTI)

According to Isro, it is the first dedicated scientific satellite from the space agency to carry out research in space-based polarisation measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources. (Image source: X)

XPoSat (X-ray polarimeter satellite), weighing 469kg, carries two payloads – Polix (polarimeter instrument in X-rays) and Xspect (X-ray spectroscopy and timing). (Image source: X)

The XPoSat satellite cost around Rs 250 crore (approximately $30 million). The NASA IXPE, which is on a similar mission since 2021, cost $188 million. The Indian satellite is expected to last more than five years, compared to the two-year life span of the Nasa IXPE. (Image source: PTI)