Tag: ISRO

How ISRO’s New Observatory Xposat Will Illuminate India’s Space Science

India’s space agency, ISRO, has launched a new observatory in space, called Xposat. This observatory will study cosmic sources of X-rays, such as black holes, neutron stars, and pulsars. Xposat is expected to enhance India’s capabilities in space science and exploration, as well as contribute to global knowledge of the universe.

What is Xposat and Why is it Important?

Image-ISRO

Xposat stands for X-ray Polarimeter Satellite. It is a small satellite, weighing about 250 kg, that carries a payload of two instruments: a polarimeter and a spectrometer. The polarimeter will measure the polarization of X-rays, which is a property that reveals the orientation and shape of the emitting source. The spectrometer will measure the energy and intensity of X-rays, which can provide information about the temperature, density, and composition of the source.

Xposat will observe about 40 cosmic sources of X-rays, including some of the most exotic and mysterious objects in the universe. These include black holes, which are regions of space where gravity is so strong that nothing can escape, not even light; neutron stars, which are the remnants of massive stars that have collapsed under their own gravity; and pulsars, which are rapidly rotating neutron stars that emit beams of radiation.

Xposat will help scientists understand how these objects form, evolve, and interact with their surroundings. It will also test some of the fundamental theories of physics, such as general relativity and quantum mechanics, in extreme conditions. Xposat will also explore the origin and evolution of cosmic magnetic fields, which play a crucial role in shaping the structure and dynamics of the universe.

How Will Xposat Benefit India and the World?

Xposat is a milestone for India’s space program, as it is the first dedicated mission for X-ray astronomy. India has previously participated in some international collaborations for X-ray observations, such as the AstroSat mission, which was launched in 2015. However, Xposat will give India more autonomy and flexibility in choosing and studying its own targets of interest.

Xposat will also boost India’s scientific and technological capabilities, as it involves the development and operation of sophisticated instruments and software. Xposat will generate a large amount of data, which will require advanced analysis and interpretation. Xposat will also provide opportunities for training and education of young scientists and engineers, as well as inspire the next generation of space enthusiasts.

Xposat will also contribute to the global scientific community, as it will share its data and findings with other researchers and institutions. Xposat will complement and collaborate with other existing and planned X-ray observatories, such as NASA’s Chandra and ESA’s XMM-Newton. Xposat will also pave the way for future missions, such as LISA, which will detect gravitational waves from merging black holes and neutron stars.

Xposat is a shining example of how India is pursuing its ambitions and aspirations in space science and exploration. Xposat will not only illuminate the dark and mysterious corners of the universe, but also brighten the prospects and potential of India’s space program.

ISRO prepares for Chandrayaan-4 mission to collect lunar samples

ISRO chief S Somanath with President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday. (ANI)

Isro, India’s space agency, is working on its next ambitious lunar mission, Chandrayaan-4, which aims to bring back samples from the moon’s surface. The mission will involve complex maneuvers and technologies that Isro is planning to test and demonstrate in the coming years.

Chandrayaan-4 will be a follow-up to Chandrayaan-3, which made history by successfully landing on the moon on August 23, 2023. Chandrayaan-3 also performed a lunar hop experiment, where the lander Vikram reignited its engines and lifted off from the landing site to another location. This showed Isro’s capability to launch a spacecraft from the lunar surface and reach a lunar orbit.

Another milestone achieved by Chandrayaan-3 was the return of the propulsion module, which carried the lander rover to the moon, to an Earth orbit. The propulsion module used a gravity assist flyby technique, where it used the moon’s gravity to slingshot itself towards Earth. This was the first time Isro demonstrated this technique and also brought back a spacecraft from the moon.

The propulsion module experiment, which began on October 9, 2023, helped Isro plan and execute a trajectory back to Earth. The propulsion module will remain in orbit around the Earth for a year. This experiment also avoided the risk of the propulsion module crashing into the moon or colliding with other satellites in the geostationary orbit.

These achievements have given Isro confidence and experience for the Chandrayaan-4 mission, which will be much more challenging. Chandrayaan-4 will require the spacecraft to collect samples from the moon and place them in a canister, which will then return to the unit that will take off from the moon and reach a lunar orbit. There, it will dock with another spacecraft that will return to Earth’s orbit. After that, the canister will separate and dock with another spacecraft in Earth’s orbit, which will eventually make a re-entry and land on Earth.

To test the docking technology, which is essential for the sample return mission, Isro has planned the Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX). SPADEX will launch a satellite with two components, which will separate and then dock again. This will also provide data on space rendezvous technology, which is crucial for future missions involving a space station and human exploration of the moon.

Isro chairman S Somanath told The Times of India that SPADEX is expected to be launched by the end of 2024. He also said that Isro is working with Japan on the Lunar Polar Exploration (Lupex) mission, which will explore the water-ice deposits on the moon’s poles.

Isro’s lunar missions are part of its long-term vision to establish India as a leading space-faring nation. The Prime Minister’s Office recently announced a roadmap for Isro, which includes a space station by 2035 and humans on the moon by 20401

Read More:1: Chandrayaan 4: Isro gears up to bring Lunar samples; Key docking experiment in 2024

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