Days after the successful launch of India’s maiden X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) to study black holes and neutron stars, professor of Astrophysics Karan Jani, based at Vanderbilt University in the US, praised India for its advancements in space science, stating that it is very inspiring to see the country taking the lead in several frontiers. Jani, an Indian scientist, highlighted the significance of India’s contribution to the study of black holes and mentioned the country’s involvement in projects like LIGO India, XPoSat, and the square kilometre array. India’s first observation of black holes marks a remarkable achievement, and the country aims to train at least 100 scientists to further contribute to the global knowledge of this field. The successful launch of the XPoSat by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) kickstarted the exploration of X-ray emissions from celestial sources. The PSLV-C58 vehicle precisely placed the satellite into its intended orbit of 650 km. The ISRO chief, S Somanath, outlined the plan to carry out experiments with nine onboard payloads. This milestone reflects the significant progress made by India in space science and paves the way for future missions, including the Gaganyaan Mission in 2024-2025 and the establishment of the ‘Bharatiya Antariksha Station’ by 2035. India’s achievements not only solidify its position in the global space economy but also stimulate the growth of the private space sector within the country. The nation’s aspirations include landing on the moon, with the goal of sending the first Indian astronaut by 2040. The successful launch of XPoSat demonstrates India’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration and fostering scientific talent and innovation within the country.
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