ISRO launches X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite on the first day of year
The XPoSat was successfully launched on PSLV-C58, the satellite aims to measure the polarization of X-rays coming from various celestial sources
image for illustrative purpose
Hyderabad: X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat), India’s first dedicated ‘polarimetry mission’ to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in the extreme conditions was launched successfully on Monday. The satellite was launched aboard PSLV-C58, India’s most successful launch vehicle.
The X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite is made by ISRO in collaboration with Ananth Technologies Pvt. Ltd, Hyderabad (ATL) a leading innovator in the field of aerospace. The mission is designed to enhance our understanding of compact objects like neutron stars and black holes. This mission makes India the second country in the world to launch an advanced astronomy observatory to study celestial happenings.
XPoSat aims to measure the polarization of X-rays coming from various celestial sources. Polarimetry in X-rays provides valuable information about the geometry and physical processes in extreme environments such as those around black holes, neutron stars, and other high-energy astrophysical objects. XPoSat also contribute to the study of cosmic rays and solar phenomena by measuring the polarization of X-rays associated with these cosmic processes.
Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri, CMD, ATL, said: “We are enthusiastic about our involvement in XPoSat. This collaboration represents a significant accomplishment for us, as we contribute our technical expertise and manufacturing capabilities to support India's space exploration initiatives.”
Ananth Technologies, with its extensive experience in satellite systems design, development, and integration, played a pivotal role in the XPoSat program. ATL is in long term partnership with ISRO in for all their space programs including XPoSat. So far, ATL has contributed to 97 satellites and 77 launch vehicles for Indian space programs. The firm has supplied several mission critical systems for XPoSat like star sensor for self stabilization of satellite, attitude processing unit for orientation of satellite and camera head unit for capturing the star image.
Transducer excitation module for generating excitation voltages to transducers, Advanced data acquisition modules, control electronics for actuators, advanced telemetry System, Pyro control systems, squib safe / arm systems, command execution module for equipment bay separation are few major systems supplied by ATL to PSLV-C58 launch vehicle.
The PSLV-C58 is the eighth launch vehicle successfully integrated by ATL team and five more launch vehicles are currently under integration. The company is a dedicated collaborator with ISRO, focusing on innovation, precision engineering and manufacturing with a high emphasis on reliability for space applications
ATL is headquartered in Hyderabad, with dedicated facilities in Thiruvananthapuram for the fabrication, assembly, testing, and supply of advanced electronic packages, computer systems, and various sub-systems for launch vehicles, as well as integration of launch vehicles. In Bengaluru, ATL has established extensive facilities for satellite manufacturing.
