Satellite to unravel blackhole mystery; ISRO begins new year with historic PSLV launch

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ISRO created history by launching the XPoSat probe on New Year's Day to explore the inner reaches of the black hole. With this, India became the second country after the US to explore this mission.

The primary payload XPoSat, an X-ray polarimeter satellite was successfully launched at 9.10 am today from the first launch pad in Sriharikota. XPoSat was injected into the elliptical orbit after the PSLV rocket covered 650km from the earth's surface, that is 21 minutes after the launch. It then came down and left 10 other satellites in orbit at an altitude of 350 km. After this, the solar portion of the satellite stretched out resembling a flying laboratory. The PSLV orbital Experimental Module-3 (POEM-3) was executed deftly.

Alongside XPoSat, ten small satellites were deployed including 'WESAT,' a Women Engineered Satellite constructed by students from LBS Women's Engineering College, Thiruvananthapuram. WESAT's mission is to analyse how ultraviolet rays from space impact Kerala's climate.

The rocket was launched with altitude control guidance software, a flexible solar panel, a 50 Ah lithium-ion battery and navigation systems. After launch, it is common practice to leave a few parts of the rocket in space. Other parts will burn out. The age of the sun. celestial orbits and backholes will be carefully studied in this mission.

• XPoSat weighs 469 kg and is equipped with Polix and Xspect payloads. These will be used to study various aspects of X-ray sources
• Polix is manufactured by Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru. Xspect was produced by UR. Rao Satellite Center.
• Black holes are the most powerful source of energy.
• XPoSat 's studies are also the first step in providing critical information about the life of the Sun
• XPoSat will also seek the secrets of neutron stars, nebulae and pulsars. The mission will be completed in five years