A great start to 2024 thanks to our scientists, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) began 2024 on a strong note by launching XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) on Monday (January 1, 2024). The XPoSat is India’s first dedicated polarimetry mission to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources, like black holes and neutron stars, in extreme conditions. 
 
The successful launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota saw the PSLV-C58 vehicle placing the satellite precisely into the intended orbit of 650 km with 6-degree inclination. "We have an exciting time ahead," ISRO Chairman S Somanath said.

"A great start to 2024 thanks to our scientists! This launch is wonderful news for the space sector and will enhance India's prowess in this field. Best wishes to our scientists at @isro and the entire space fraternity in taking India to unprecedented heights," Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on social media platform X, responding to ISRO's announcement of the launch.
 
The spacecraft carried two scientific payloads in a low earth orbit. The primary payload POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) will measure the polarimetry parameters (degree and angle of polarization) in medium X-ray energy range of 8-30 keV photons of astronomical origin. The XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) payload will give spectroscopic information in the energy range of 0.8-15 keV.

According to ISRO, the emission mechanism from various astronomical sources such as black holes, neutron stars, active galactic nuclei, pulsar wind nebulae etc. originates from complex physical processes and are challenging to understand. 
 
"The polarimetric observations along with spectroscopic measurements are expected to break the degeneracy of various theoretical models of astronomical emission processes. This would be the major direction of research from XPoSat by Indian science community," ISRO said on its website.
 
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) which carried the XPoSat, also launched 10 payloads developed by start-ups, educational institutions, and ISRO centres.