Indian Space Research OrgnaisationIndian Space Research Orgnaisation (ISRO) launched India’s first dedicated satellite for astronomy research, named ASTROSAT.
The satellite was launched from the first launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh at 10 am by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C30). PSLV-C30 is the tenth flight of PSLV in its ‘XL’ Configuration.
It was launched after the end of its 50-hour long countdown for its launch which began on 26 September 2015 at 8am.
Scientific objectives of ASTROSAT
- To understand high energy processes in binary star systems containing neutron stars and black holes.
- Estimate magnetic fields of neutron stars.
- Study star birth regions and high energy processes in star systems lying beyond our galaxy.
- Detect new briefly bright X-ray sources in the sky.
- Perform a limited deep field survey of the Universe in the Ultraviolet region.
Characteristic features of ASTROSAT
- ASTROSAT is India’s first dedicated multi wavelength space observatory.
- The mission is capable of performing observations in Ultraviolet (UV), optical, low and high energy X-ray wavebands at the same time.
- The satellite is of about 1513 kg and was placed in a 650 km orbit inclined at an angle of 6 deg to the equator around the Earth.
- It carries four X-ray payloads, one UV telescope and a charge particle monitor.
- ASTROSAT’s life span is five years.
- The satellite during its mission life will be managed by the spacecraft control centre at Mission Operations Complex (MOX) of ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) at Bangalore.
