PSLV Orbital Experiment Module (POEM)

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has not only launched three Singapore satellites into accurate orbit but also successfully launched the PSLV Orbital Experiment Module (POEM).

What is POEM?

The PSLV Orbital Experiment Module is a valuable platform for conducting orbital experiments using the final stage or abandoned stage of ISRO’s flagship polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV).

Function

The PSLV is a four-stage rocket with the first three used stages returning to the sea and the final stage (PS4) (after the satellite is launched into orbit) into space debris. However, in the PSLV-C53 mission, the power stage will be used as a “stabilization platform” for experiments. This is the first time the PS4 stage has orbited the Earth as a stable platform. After the primary mission, the fourth step is to “write some poems in orbit.” POEM carries six payloads, including two from Indian space startups Digitaria and Dhruva Space.

Working

According to ISRO, POEM has a dedicated navigation guidance and control (NGC) system for attitude stabilization, which controls the attitude of the aerospace craft within tolerance. NGC acts as the brain of the platform and stabilizes the forum with specific accuracy. POEM draws power from solar panels and lithium-ion batteries mounted around the PS4 tank. Navigate with “4 sun sensors, magnetometer, gyro, NavIC”. It is equipped with a dedicated control thruster for storing helium gas. It works with the telecom function.

ISRO first demonstrated the ability to use PS4 as an orbital platform in 2019 on the PSLV-C44 mission. The PSLV-C44 mission launched the Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2 satellites into the desired orbit. The fourth phase of this mission has survived as an orbital platform for space-based experiments.

Conclusion

After the successful launch of the PSLV-C44, ISRO boosted the vehicle’s fourth stage (PS4) to a higher circular orbit of 453km to set up a tracking platform for conducting experiments after a two-stage reboot. They announced that it was done. Kalamsat-V2, a student payload that first used PS4 as an orbital platform. In this mission, a lithium-ion battery was installed in the 4th stage, but a solar panel was added this time. Recent diversions and upgrades to the fourth stage of the PSLV rocket include stabilizing the orbital platform.

SUGANDHA GUPTA is the writer of this article. Views expressed, and information provided belong solely to the author.