[Suchith Anand]

Dear colleagues,
Happy New Year! 
India welcomes 2024 with the successful launch of X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat), the second global polarimetric observatory after NASA’s IXPE in 2021. Congratulations to all scientists at ISRO for the successful launch of XPoSat. It was launched from Sriharikota spaceport in India at 09:10 local time (03:40GMT) on 1st January 2024.
XPoSat stands at the forefront of space and astronomical exploration and will benefit the global scientific community. It follows on the success ofAstroSat – India’s first dedicated multi-wavelength space telescope launched in 2015. 
Details athttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-67837066
https://www.isro.gov.in/XPoSat.html
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/imaging-x-ray-polarimetry-explorer-ixpe/
6 startups and academic institutions are flying their payloads on the PSLV Orbital Experiment Platform (POEM) , which is carrying 10 payloads in total. One of the experiments of the PSLV Orbital Experiment Platform (POEM) is Women Engineered Satellite (WESAT), developed by a team of 42 women students in collaboration with their teachers Dr. Sumithra and Dr. Reshmi at LBS Institute of Technology for Women, Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala to study UV radiation in the atmosphere.
Details athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esCiNq9El1Q
It is important to thank all women scientists who took India into space (from India’s Mars mission to Moon mission to Sun mission)
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-38253471.amp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVNK5tiCTjo&t=0s
The launch of XPoSat builds upon the excellent work of ISRO in 2023 – Chandrayaan, Aditya-L1, Gaganyaan: The year India reached the Moon – and aimed for the Sun
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-67769454
ISRO has several missions including Mangalyaan 2 (Mars), Shukrayaan 1 (Venus), Gaganyaan lined up for 2024. Details at 
https://analyticsindiamag.com/isros-missions-to-watchout-for-in-2024/
From humble beginnings in sheds (the equipments were carried in a bicycle and a bullock cart!) to becoming the first country to land near the South Pole on the Moon, to missions to Mars , India’s space journey is an epic tale of ingenuity and resourcefulness. Story of India’s amazing space journey athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL94XhNbwQ4
India’s space mission will inspire millions of students from all over the world (including students from economically poor backgrounds in the Global South) to STEM education and space science education. 
India’s idea of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ is resonating across the world. This human-centric approach has been welcomed by all. India’s space mission is also based on this principle. India’s success belongs to all of humanity.
I wish you all a Happy, Healthy, Peaceful, Productive and Prosperous New Year 2024. 
Best wishes
Suchith
Dr Suchith Anand
Senior Adviser to Governments and International Organisations | Scientist | AI Ethics | AI Governance | Policy | Consultant in Data and AI Ethics | Global Citizen | SDG Volunteer and Advocate
 
https://council.science/profile/suchith-anand/
https://www.rd-alliance.org/users/suchith-anand
https://ethicaldatainitiative.org

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