SRIHARIKOTA: ISRO marked a historic milestone with the launch of the PSLV-C58 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The primary payload XPoSat, an X-ray polarimeter satellite was successfully launched at 9.10 am today from the first launch pad.

This mission aims to delve into the mysteries of black holes by studying X-ray waves in space. XPoSat, a collaboration between ISRO and the Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru is set to explore approximately forty energy sources in space using its instruments, the X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing and X-ray Polarimeter.

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.

PSLV-C58’s achievement adds to its illustrious history having launched 345 satellites over 30 years. Notably, it has supported critical missions like Chandrayaan 1, Mangalyaan and Aditya L1 cementing its reputation as a reliable launch vehicle. Despite two previous setbacks in its history, PSLV remains a pivotal rocket for ISRO.

The launch of Exposat and its accompanying satellites further underscores PSLV’s significance in global commercial launches. Its cost-effectiveness and capability to launch satellites from various countries including the USA continue to make it a preferred choice in the space industry.