# XPoSat

> Indian space telescope

**Wikidata**: [Q63992302](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q63992302)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XPoSat)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/xposat

## Summary

XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) is India's first dedicated space telescope designed to study X-ray polarization from celestial sources, launched on January 1, 2024. It represents a significant advancement in X-ray astronomy, enabling scientists to measure the polarization of X-rays from high-energy cosmic sources such as neutron stars, black holes, and supernova remnants. The satellite was developed and launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad using a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-DL rocket.

## Key Facts

- **Full Name:** X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat)
- **COSPAR ID:** 2024-001A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 58694
- **Launch Date:** January 1, 2024
- **Launch Site:** Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad, India
- **Launch Vehicle:** Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-DL (PSLV-DL)
- **Primary Contractor:** Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
- **Classification:** Space telescope
- **Image:** Render of XPoSat satellite in deployed configuration (available on Wikimedia Commons)
- **Wikipedia Title:** XPoSat
- **Commons Category:** XPoSat
- **Sitelink Count:** 9
- **Available Wikipedia Languages:** Bengali (bn), Commons, English (en), Spanish (es), French (fr), Hebrew (he), Latvian (lv), Telugu (te), Ukrainian (uk)
- **Aliases:** XPoSat, satélite polarímetro de rayos X, X-ray Polarimeter Satellite

## FAQs

**What is the purpose of XPoSat?**

XPoSat is designed to study X-ray polarization from various cosmic sources, including neutron stars, black holes, and supernova remnants. It enables scientists to understand the geometry, magnetic fields, and emission mechanisms of these high-energy celestial objects.

**Who built and launched XPoSat?**

XPoSat was built by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and launched on January 1, 2024, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad using a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-DL rocket.

**What makes XPoSat significant for Indian space exploration?**

XPoSat is India's first dedicated space telescope for X-ray polarimetry, marking a significant milestone in the country's space science program and establishing India as a key player in X-ray astronomy.

**What is X-ray polarimetry and why is it important?**

X-ray polarimetry measures the orientation of X-ray light waves from cosmic sources, providing unique insights into the physical conditions and processes in extreme astrophysical environments that cannot be obtained through traditional imaging or spectroscopy alone.

**Where can I find more information about XPoSat?**

XPoSat has dedicated Wikipedia articles in multiple languages (English, Spanish, Bengali, French, Hebrew, Latvian, Telugu, and Ukrainian), and images are available in the Wikimedia Commons category.

## Why It Matters

XPoSat represents a groundbreaking achievement in X-ray astronomy and Indian space science for several compelling reasons. As India's first dedicated space telescope for X-ray polarimetry, it fills a critical gap in global X-ray observation capabilities. While previous X-ray telescopes have excelled at imaging and spectroscopy, XPoSat specifically measures the polarization of X-rays—a property that reveals crucial information about the geometry, magnetic field configuration, and emission mechanisms of high-energy cosmic sources.

The satellite enables researchers to study some of the most extreme phenomena in the universe, including matter falling into black holes, radiation from neutron stars, and remnants of supernova explosions. Understanding these processes advances our knowledge of fundamental physics in extreme conditions that cannot be replicated in laboratories.

For India's space program, XPoSat demonstrates growing capabilities in sophisticated scientific satellite development beyond Earth observation and communication satellites. It positions ISRO among elite space agencies capable of conducting advanced astrophysical research from space, opening doors for future missions and international collaborations in high-energy astronomy.

## Notable For

- First Indian space telescope dedicated to X-ray polarimetry
- First space telescope mission of 2024 (COSPAR ID 2024-001A)
- Uses Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-DL, a variant of India's reliable PSLV rocket
- Contributes to global X-ray astronomy network with unique polarization measurements
- Represents India's entry into specialized high-energy astrophysics missions

## Body

### Mission Overview

XPoSat, officially the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite, is an Indian space telescope specifically designed for X-ray polarimetry observations. The mission represents India's inaugural dedicated effort to study the polarization properties of X-rays from celestial sources, a relatively unexplored dimension of high-energy astrophysics. The satellite was successfully launched on January 1, 2024, marking the first space mission of that year by COSPAR designation (2024-001A).

The primary scientific objective of XPoSat is to measure X-ray polarization from various cosmic sources, providing researchers with data that complements traditional X-ray imaging and spectroscopic observations. This capability allows scientists to probe the fundamental properties of extreme astrophysical objects such as neutron stars, stellar-mass black holes, and supernova remnants.

### Development and Organization

The satellite was developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India's premier space agency responsible for all Indian space missions. ISRO has built a reputation for cost-effective yet scientifically valuable missions, and XPoSat continues this tradition by focusing on a specific scientific niche that addresses important questions in high-energy astrophysics.

The development of XPoSat reflects ISRO's strategic expansion into specialized scientific missions beyond its traditional focus on Earth observation, communication, and navigation satellites. This mission demonstrates the organization's growing capability to design and operate sophisticated astronomical instruments capable of conducting frontier research.

### Launch Details

XPoSat was launched on January 1, 2024, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad, located on Sriharikota Island off the eastern coast of India. This launch site has been the primary facility for India's satellite launch operations for decades.

The mission utilized the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-DL (PSLV-DL), a variant of India's workhorse PSLV rocket. The PSLV has an impressive track record of successful launches, including numerous scientific and Earth observation missions. The DL variant features two strap-on motors to enhance payload capacity, making it suitable for missions requiring higher orbital insertions.

### Technical Classification

XPoSat is classified as a space telescope—an instrument positioned in outer space for observing distant space objects. This classification places it among the ranks of famous space telescopes like Hubble, Chandra, and XMM-Newton, though with a specialized focus on X-ray polarimetry rather than optical or broader X-ray observations.

The satellite's designation as a space telescope emphasizes its scientific rather than practical application, distinguishing it from Earth observation, communication, or navigation satellites. Space telescopes avoid atmospheric interference, enabling observations across the electromagnetic spectrum that would otherwise be impossible or severely limited from ground-based facilities.

### International Context and Availability

XPoSat has generated international interest within the astronomical community, as evidenced by its presence across multiple language versions of Wikipedia. The satellite has dedicated articles in nine languages: Bengali, English, Spanish, French, Hebrew, Latvian, Telugu, and Ukrainian, plus content on Wikimedia Commons.

This multilingual presence reflects the international significance of the mission and the global interest in its scientific objectives. The satellite's data will contribute to international astrophysics research, complementing observations from other X-ray telescopes operated by space agencies worldwide.

### Physical Description

Visual representations of XPoSat in its deployed configuration are available through Wikimedia Commons. These images show the satellite's design, with its solar panels extended and scientific instruments positioned for observation. The satellite's configuration reflects careful engineering to optimize its X-ray observation capabilities while maintaining power generation through its solar panel array.

### Catalog Information

XPoSat carries official identification numbers that allow tracking and reference within the space science community. Its COSPAR ID (2024-001A) indicates it was the first object launched in 2024, while its Satellite Catalog Number (58694) provides a unique identifier within the international satellite tracking database. These designations ensure proper attribution and tracking of the mission within the global space community.

## References

1. [Source](https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7100)
2. SATCAT