India’s space prowess soared to new heights on Saturday as the POEM-3 platform achieved all its mission objectives! This innovative platform, repurposed from the spent PS4 stage of the PSLV-C58 rocket, successfully carried nine payloads from diverse sources, including academia and startups. By its 25th day in orbit, POEM-3 had already completed a staggering 400 circuits, proving its worth as a unique and cost-effective space research platform.
POEM-3 Mission Wraps Up Successfully, Leaving No Trace Behind
Mission Accomplished: Over the past few weeks, the POEM-3 platform, repurposed from the PSLV-C58 rocket’s spent PS4 stage, has been diligently carrying out its tasks. Each payload onboard, from various institutions and startups, has been successfully activated and its performance demonstrated, marking a significant milestone for Indian space research.
POEM-3 in a Nutshell: This innovative platform, equipped with three-axis attitude control, power generation, and telecommand/telemetry capabilities, provided a stable and versatile environment for the diverse experiments. Its compact design and efficient resource utilization showcase India’s commitment to cost-effective space exploration.
Final Orbits: POEM-3 is expected to remain in orbit for approximately 73 more days before safely re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. This controlled descent ensures zero debris left behind in space, further emphasizing ISRO’s dedication to responsible space exploration practices.
Highlighting Key Experiments: Among the successfully completed experiments were:
- ARKA200: This Xenon-based electric propulsion system tested by Bellatrix Aerospace paves the way for more efficient and fuel-saving spacecraft maneuvers.
- RUDRA: Another Bellatrix contribution, RUDRA, is a HAN-based green propellant thruster system offering a more eco-friendly alternative for space propulsion.
- LEAP-TD: Developed by Dhruva Space in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), this experiment tested a satellite bus equipped with VHF/UHF downlink and UHF uplink capabilities. The successful test opens doors for enhanced communication and data transmission in future space missions..
With all payload objectives met, POEM-3’s success adds another feather to India’s space exploration cap. Across POEM-1 to POEM-3, a total of 21 payloads from diverse institutes and industries have taken flight, showcasing India’s thriving space ecosystem.
But POEM-3’s story isn’t over yet. Even after achieving its primary goals, further experiments are planned to gather valuable data for future missions, including upcoming POEM configurations.
Finally, POEM-3’s controlled orbital decay and re-entry in three months ensure the PSLV-C58 XPoSat mission leaves zero debris in space, a testament to India’s commitment to responsible space exploration.
POEM-3’s success marks a significant achievement for Indian space technology. Its versatility, cost-effectiveness, and commitment to sustainability pave the way for even more groundbreaking advancements in the years to come.