An X-ray astronomy experiment for the study of spectral and
temporal characteristics of cosmic X-ray sources was developed
jointly by TIFR and ISRO Satellite Center (ISAC). The payload
consists of three identical pointed proportional counters
(PPC) and one X-ray Sky Monitor
(XSM).
Each of the detectors are controlled by independent
microprocessor based processing electronics. A common electronics
sub-system acts as an interface with the satellite bus. An oven
controlled oscillator (accuracy one part in 109) provides high
timing accuracy. The Indian satellite IRS-P3, carrying the
X-ray astronomy instruments was launched on 1996, March 21 with
Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-D3 from Shriharikota
Range, India..
(P.C. Agrawal, A.R. Rao, B. Paul, M. R. Shah, J.P.Malkar, K.
Mukherjee, S. Sardesai, D.K. Dedhia, P. Shah, M.N. Vahia, J.S.
Yadav, S.V. Damle, V.M. Gujar, S.S. Mohite, D.P. Pawar, A.N.
Patil, A.P.K. Kutty)