The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to commence the new year with the launch of its groundbreaking X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite, XPoSat, on Monday. Riding aboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C58), the mission follows the success of ISRO's Gaganyaan Test Vehicle D1 in October.

The PSLV-C58, marking its 60th mission, will carry the primary payload XPoSat and 10 additional satellites destined for low Earth orbits. The 25-hour countdown initiated on Sunday anticipates liftoff from the first launch pad, located east of Chennai, at 9.10 am on January 1.

XPoSat, ISRO's maiden dedicated research satellite for space-based polarization measurements of X-ray emissions, seeks to unravel celestial mysteries. The mission's objectives include polarimetry measurements of X-rays in the 8-30 keV energy band from approximately 50 cosmic sources, providing crucial insights into the physics of black holes, neutron stars, and active galactic nuclei.

The global astronomical community eagerly awaits the mission's impact, as XPoSat is poised to elevate India's expertise in X-Ray polarimetry and foster collaboration within the astronomy domain. The PSLV-C58's five-year mission life includes deploying additional payloads, furthering ISRO's commitment to advancing space exploration and scientific experimentation.