POEM-3, ISRO's Pioneering Space Platform, Successfully Achieving Objectives in Innovative PSLV-C58 XPoSat Mission

Space News ,India :- In a groundbreaking venture, the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3 (POEM-3), a cost-effective space platform ingeniously crafted from the spent PS4 stage of the PSLV-C58 vehicle, has triumphantly fulfilled its mission objectives. Launched alongside XPoSat on January 1, 2024, this three-axis-attitude controlled platform boasts power generation, telecommand, and telemetry capabilities, providing vital support for diverse payloads.

A Stellar Journey:

Deployed into a 650 km orbit, POEM-3 was then strategically lowered to a 350 km circular orbit, minimizing orbit decay time post-experiment. As it gracefully completes its 25th day in orbit, POEM-3 has circled the Earth 400 times, currently residing in an orbit measuring approximately 322 km by 352 km. Projections estimate that POEM-3 will continue its orbital dance for an additional 73 days before gracefully re-entering the Earth's atmosphere.

Payload Triumphs:

Embarking on its mission with nine payloads from institutions like VSSC, PRL, Academia, and Space start-ups via IN-SPACe, POEM-3 showcased stellar performance. Notable experiments include ARKA200 (Xenon-Based Electric Propulsion) and RUDRA (HAN-Based Green Propellant Thruster) from Bellatrix, and LEAP-TD (Satellite Bus with VHF/UHF Downlink & UHF Uplink) from Dhruva Space. Regularly collecting data from various experiments such as WeSAT, BeliefSat0, RSEM, and DEX, POEM-3 demonstrated the prowess of its Payloads.

Unprecedented Achievements:

With successful completion of the mission's objectives, including the demonstration of a 100 W Fuel Cell Power System and Si-C based High Power Li-Ion Battery, POEM-3 has set a new standard. Across POEM-1 to POEM-3 missions, ISRO has proudly flown a total of 21 payloads from diverse institutes and industries.

Towards the Future:

Having accomplished its initial goals, POEM-3 is gearing up for more experiments, generating crucial data for upcoming missions, including the development of future POEM configurations. With an anticipated orbital decay and re-entry in three months, the PSLV-C58 XPoSat mission is leaving an indelible mark by ensuring zero debris remains in space.