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ISRO Launches X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite From First Launch-Pad, SDSC-SHAR In Sriharikota

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Sriharikota: India Began 2024 with PSLV rocket lifting off with XPoSat Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh). On the first day of the calendar year 2024, India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C58 (PSLV-C58) on Monday morning lifted off with the country’s X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) with 10 other payloads.

The 44.4-metre tall PSLV-C58 rocket with a lift off mass of 260 ton carrying XPoSat and 10 other experimental payloads on its fourth stage blasted off from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) here at 9.10 a.m. Slowly rising up towards the skies with a thick orange flame at its tail, the rocket gained speed with a sound resembling rolling thunder and went up and up leaving a thick plume while the people assembled at the viewing gallery clapped their hands with pride. Interestingly, this is the first space mission for ISRO on January 1 for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Procedure after 21 minutes into flight of rocket

At about 21 minutes into its flight, the rocket will orbit XPoSat at an altitude of about 650 km. Subsequently, the rocket’s fourth stage will be restarted twice to reduce the orbit into a 350 km circular orbit to maintain in 3-axis stabilised mode for Orbital Platform (OP) experiments.

The PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3 (POEM-3) experiment will be executed, meeting the objective of 10 identified payloads, supplied by the ISRO and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), the Indian space agency said.

In its normal configuration, the PSLV is a four-stage/engine expendable rocket powered by solid and liquid fuels, alternatively, with six booster motors strapped onto the first stage to give higher thrust during the initial flight moments.

ISRO’s five types of rockets

The ISRO has five types of PSLV rockets — Standard, Core Alone, XL, DL, and QL. The major difference between them is the use of strap-on boosters which, in turn, largely depends on the weight of the satellites to be orbited.

The PSLV uses 6,4,2 solid rocket strap-on motors to augment the thrust provided by the first stage in PSLV-XL, QL & DL variants, respectively. However, strap-ons are not used in the core-alone version (PSLV-CA). The XPoSat is the first dedicated scientific satellite from the ISRO to carry out research in space-based polarisation measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources. The satellite configuration is modified from the IMS-2 bus platform.

Three objectives of XPoSat

The configuration of the mainframe systems is derived based on the heritage of IRS satellites. It carries two payloads, namely POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing). The POLIX is realised by the Raman Research Institute and XSPECT is by the Space Astronomy Group of the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC).

According to the ISRO, the three objectives of XPoSat are: (a) To measure polarisation of X-rays in the energy band 8-30keV emanating from about 50 potential cosmic sources through Thomson Scattering by POLIX payload. (b) To carry out long-term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic X-ray sources in the energy band 0.8-15keV by XSPECT payload and (c) To carry out polarisation and spectroscopic measurements of X-ray emissions from cosmic sources by POLIX and XSPECT payloads, respectively, in the common energy band.

Passivation of PS4

After orbiting the XPoSat in 650km, the rocket’s fourth stage — PS4 stage — will be lowered to 350km, about 9.6 deg orbit, by restarting it twice. The left-out propellant in the PS4 will be disposed of through the main engines as a precursor to enabling the safety of the PS4 stage in atmosphere re-entry experiments planned in future. The oxidiser will be let out first followed by fuel in a predetermined sequence of operations. The existing scheme of spent stage passivation by venting the tank pressure will also be active.

Post passivation of PS4, the control of the stage is transferred to the POEM Avionics, the ISRO added. The POEM is configured as a 3-axis stabilised orbital platform for conducting experiments to space qualify systems with novel ideas. The PS4 Stage Orbital Platform Electrical power requirements are catered by a Flexible Solar Panel in conjunction with 50Ah Li-Ion battery in battery tied configuration.

Navigation process

The orbital platform consists of avionic systems to take care of navigation, guidance, control and telecommands and Orbital Platform Attitude Control System to cater to control of the platform to test the payloads, the ISRO said. The 10 payloads are from Take Me 2 Space, LBS Institute Technology for Women, K J Somaiya Institute of Technology, Inspecity Space Labs Private Ltd, Dhruva Space Private Ltd, Bellatrix Aerospace Private Ltd (two payloads) and three payloads from the ISRO.

National News

Maha govt to take action against those insulting national heroes: CM Fadnavis

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Raigad Fort, April 12: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday announced that the state government will frame strict rules to take stern action against those who insult national heroes and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

“Udayanraje made some demands, including severe punishment, to those insulting the national heroes and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Such people should be thrown from the fort. But being a democracy, the government will formulate rules,” said the Chief Minister while speaking at the Raigad Fort on the occasion of the death anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s descendants Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhosale and Shivendraraje Bhosale were also present.

The Chief Minister added that the government will not tolerate insults to national heroes and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

He also announced that the government will release the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

As far as the memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Chief Minister said the state government will pursue the legal case in the high court.

In his speech, the Chief Minister explained why Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is our ‘god’.

“When Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was there, there were Adilshahi, Mughal raj, Qutbshahi in the country. It seemed that the rule of foreign invaders would never end. It seemed that there was darkness everywhere. Then, with the blessings of the mother Jijau, a bright sun like Shivaji Maharaj was born. Without Shivaji Maharaj, we would be nothing,” he said.

The Chief Minister added that Shivaji Maharaj did the work of awakening the brilliance by uniting the people of the Athrapgad castes.

“By uniting the Mavlas, he established Hindavi Swarajya. Only because of Shivaji Maharaj did the saffron rule come to the whole of India,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the government will seek the Union Home Minister’s help for the construction of a memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in New Delhi.

He further added that 12 forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj have been nominated as world heritage.

“Now there will be a presentation on it in France. The government will go there. Quite hopeful that these forts will get world heritage status,” he stated.

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National News

His glory a golden chapter of history: CM Yogi salutes Rana Sanga on birth anniversary

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Lucknow, April 12: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday paid tributes to medieval Rajput ruler Rana Sanga on his birth anniversary, amid a political row sparked by Samajwadi Party MP Ramji Lal Suman’s controversial remarks in the Rajya Sabha.

“On the birth anniversary of the mighty Rana Sanga Ji, who was dedicated to the protection of religion, many salutes to him! His story of glory, a symbol of patriotism and sacrifice, is a golden chapter in history. His bravery will continue to irrigate the land of India with self-respect for centuries,” CM Yogi posted on X on Saturday.

The tribute comes in the backdrop of a controversy that erupted after Suman called Rana Sanga a “traitor” during a parliamentary debate. The remarks triggered widespread outrage, especially in Agra, where a large crowd gathered outside Suman’s residence. Members of the Karni Sena attempted to enter the MP’s house but were stopped by the police. A scuffle ensued, leading to injuries to a few people.

In his speech in Parliament, Ramji Lal Suman had stated that Rana Sanga had invited Mughal emperor Babur to India to defeat Ibrahim Lodi.

“BJP leaders often say that Muslims have Babur’s DNA. But the Muslims of India do not consider Babur as their ideal — they revere Prophet Mohammad,” he said, questioning, “Who brought Babur to India? It was Rana Sanga.”

The BJP demanded an apology from Suman, but the MP has stood by his statement.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, meanwhile, sought to calm tensions, saying, “The pages of history that carry controversy should not be reopened.”

Amid the controversy, the Karni Sena is holding a large event in Agra on Saturday to mark Rana Sanga’s birth anniversary. The rally, titled Rakt Swabhiman Sammelan, is expected to draw people from several states and will be attended by a number of prominent personalities.

Police have imposed tight security measures to maintain peace and order in the district.

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National News

‘Should Hindus leave Bengal?’ asks Giriraj Singh, slams Mamata Banerjee govt over Murshidabad violence

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New Delhi, April 12: Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Saturday strongly condemned the recent violence in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, calling it a “heart-wrenching” incident that reflects the deteriorating law and order situation under the Mamata Banerjee-led government.

Addressing the media, Singh alleged that the Hindu community in Bengal is being systematically intimidated and forced to migrate from the state.

Commenting on the situation, Giriraj Singh said, “The incident in Murshidabad is showing that Hindus are being forced to leave Bengal. Mamata Banerjee should tell, should the Hindus of Bengal leave Bengal? This is the situation they have created.”

In a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Union Minister said, “I am saying again and again when the saviour becomes destroyer who will save? Mamata Banerjee is the chief of the government of Bengal. For her, the vote bank is not just Muslims. It is her responsibility to protect Hindus as well.”

The violence in Murshidabad, allegedly linked to a dispute over Waqf Board properties, has sparked political outrage, with the BJP accusing the Trinamool Congress government of minority appeasement and neglecting the safety of the majority Hindu population.

Singh further criticised RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, alleging that he is attempting to replicate the situation in Bengal in Bihar by stating that he will abolish the Waqf (Amendment) Act when he comes to power.

“He has not even come to power yet, and the Hindus of Bihar are already being intimidated,” he alleged.

He added, “Tejashwi Yadav wants to bring the same chaos to Bihar. If this is your attitude, the people will never give you a chance to attack them. Who is the custodian of the Constitution? Everyone is a citizen. The government has the biggest responsibility.”

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