In Context
- ISRO successfully launched the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module or ‘POEM’.
What is POEM?
- The PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) activity performs in-orbit scientific experiments using the spent PS4 stage as an orbital platform.
- It is the first time that the PS4 stage would orbit the earth as a stabilised platform.
- POEM derives the power from the solar panels mounted around the PS4 tank and a Li Ion battery.
- It navigates using four sun sensors, a magnetometer, gyros & NavIC.
- POEM has a dedicated Navigation Guidance and Control (NGC) system for attitude stabilisation, which stands for controlling the orientation of any aerospace vehicle within permitted limits.
- The NGC will act as the platform’s brain to stabilise it with specified accuracy.
- It carries dedicated control thrusters using Helium gas storage. It is enabled with a telecommand feature.
- POEM carries six payloads including two from Indian Space Start-ups M/s Digantara and M/s Dhruva Space, enabled though IN-SPACe and NSIL.
Has ISRO repurposed and used PS4 rocket junk earlier?
- The Indian space agency first demonstrated the capability of using PS4 as an orbital platform in 2019 with the PSLV-C44 mission that injected Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2 satellites into their designated orbits.
- The fourth stage in that mission was kept alive as an orbital platform for space-based experiments.
Source:IE
