XPoSat

Tags: Science and Technology

The X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) mission is a collaborative effort between the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in Bengaluru.

An Overview of the News

• XPoSat aims to develop and launch the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) later this year.

• XPoSat aims to study the polarisation of X-rays emitted by celestial sources.

• The study of X-ray polarisation can provide valuable insight into the nature and behaviour of astrophysical sources such as neutron stars, black holes and active galactic nuclei.

• XPoSat is India's first and world's second polarimetry mission.

• NASA's Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE), the only other major mission of its kind, is slated to launch in 2021.

About ISRO

• It is the national space agency of India. It launches its space rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

• Establishment - 15 August 1969

• Founder - Vikram Sarabhai

• Headquarters - Bengaluru

• Chairman - S Somnath