THE Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) started 2024 on a high note by launching a rocket carrying an observatory that will study astronomical objects such as black holes.
The launch took place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in the south-eastern state of Andhra Pradesh at 9.10 am local time on Monday (1).
It is only the second mission of this nature undertaken in the world after the US's NASA launched one three years ago.
According to the Indian space agency, it aims to help scientists improve their "knowledge of black holes".
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"We will have an exciting time ahead," ISRO chairperson S Somanath said after the launch.
A black hole is a part of space where matter has collapsed in on itself and the gravitational pull is so strong that even light cannot escape.
Black holes emerge from the explosive death of certain large stars, some of which can be billion times bigger than the sun.
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The satellite, X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat), will try to carry out an in-depth research on black holes.
The satellite, which is built at an estimated cost of Rs 25 million (£23.5m), is estimated to have a lifespan of five years.
The year 2023 was a hugely successful one for India's space sector. In August, ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 moon mission touched down near the lunar South Pole mission, an area that no country had reached before. Days after the feat, it launched Aditya-L1, the maiden observation mission to the sun.
The space agency has plans to launch several projects in 2024.
Monday's launch is just one among several projects Isro has planned to carry out this year.
"2024 is going to be the year for Gaganyaan readiness," Somnath was quoted as saying. He was referring to the project which aims to send three astronauts into low-Earth orbit and bring them back after three days.
Prime minister Narendra Modi lauded Monday's mission saying it would enhance India's prowess in the space sector.
In a post on X, he 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."
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Tourists visit Betaab Valley in Pahalgam, about 112 km south of Srinagar on June 26, 2025.Getty Images
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