XPoSat

XPoSat [ISRO]

XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter SATellite) is ISRO's first dedicated polarimetry mission to study the polarisation of cosmic X-rays and various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources under extreme conditions.

XPoSat is the world’s second polarimetry mission using X-Ray. NASA’s IXPE Mission is the first satellite mission dedicated to measuring the polarisation of X-Rays from different cosmic sources.

The spacecraft will carry two scientific payloads – an X-Ray Polarimeter (POLIX) and X-ray SPECtroscopy and Timing (XSPECT).

• POLIX: The primary payload, POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays), is designed to measure polarimetry parameters, specifically the degree and angle of polarisation, in the medium X-ray energy range of 8-30 keV photons originating from astronomical sources. The payload is developed by the Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru.
• XSPECT: The payload will provide spectroscopic information within the energy range of 0.8-15 keV. The payload is developed by the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre, ISRO. It would observe several types of sources viz. X-ray pulsars, blackhole binaries, low-magnetic field neutron stars in low-mass X-ray binaries, Active galactic nuclei and Magnetars.

The satellite is based on ISRO's IMS-2 bus. The lifespan of the mission is 5 years.