India’s space agency, ISRO, recently achieved a significant milestone with the successful completion of all payload objectives for the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3 (POEM-3). Launched on January 1, 2024, using the spent PS4 stage of the PSLV-C58 vehicle, POEM-3 serves as an innovative and cost-effective space platform.
Objective Achievement and Experiment Details
After deploying the satellite into its intended orbit at 650 km, the vehicle was lowered to a 350 km circular orbit to minimize orbit decay post-experiment. POEM-3, a three-axis-attitude controlled platform, supported nine payloads from various institutes and space startups. These included experiments in electric propulsion, green propellant thrusters, solar irradiance studies, amateur radio satellites, radiation shielding, and interplanetary dust particle analysis. By the 25th day in orbit, POEM-3 had completed 400 orbits, collecting valuable data for future missions.
Future Plans and Debris-Free Mission
ISRO plans to conduct further experiments with POEM-3 to generate additional data for upcoming missions. With an estimated orbital decay and reentry within three months, the PSLV-C58 XPoSat mission aims to leave zero debris in space. This achievement marks a crucial step in India’s space exploration journey, showcasing its prowess in developing advanced space technologies and fostering international collaboration.