ISRO’s POEM-3 mission marks another ‘milestone’; Zero debris re-entry achieved Achi-News

The ISRO has called it “another milestone”.

“The PSLV-C58/XPoSat mission has left virtually zero debris in orbit,” the space agency said.

The operation took place on January 1, 2024. Following the successful placement of all the satellites in their designated orbits, the final stage of the PSLV was converted into a 3-axis fixed platform called POEM-3.

This phase was then deorbited from an altitude of 650 km to 350 km, enabling a rapid re-entry process. In addition, measures were taken to tolerate the step, including the removal of residual drivers, to reduce the potential risks associated with accidental break-up.

POEM-3 was configured with a total of 9 different experimental payloads to conduct technology demonstrations and scientific experiments on the newly developed indigenous systems. Of these, six payloads were delivered by NGEs via IN-SPACe. The mission objectives of these payloads were achieved in a month.

The orbital height of the upper stage continued to decay under the influence of natural forces, mainly atmospheric drag and the module (NORAD ID 58695) is expected to have impacted the North Pacific (Lat 6.4 N & Long 158.7 W) on March 21, 2024 , at 14:04 UTC (19:34 Hrs. IST).

Through the POEM, which acts as a very cost-effective platform for conducting short space experiments, ISRO has opened up new vistas for academia, start-ups and NGEs to experiment with their new payloads. This new opportunity has been used effectively by a number of start-ups, universities, and NGEs for carrying out experiments in space, which included electric thrusters, satellite engines, and tracking stars. POEM also incorporates new features such as complete avionics in a single chain configuration, industrial grade components in avionics packages including a Mission Management Computer, standard interfaces for electric power, telemetry and telecommunications, and new in-orbit navigation algorithms using rate gyro. , a sun detector, and a magnetometer.

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For effective conduct of experiments on board POEM-3, hull rates were stabilized to less than 0.5 deg/s throughout, and innovative schemes such as controlled dumping of residual fuel after the main mission were introduced to reduce turbulence due to tolerance.

The Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) has taken the lead in conceptualizing and realizing the POEM by augmenting the PSLV 4th stage.

PSLV-C58/XPoSat is the third such mission in the series, with POEMs being successfully scripted each time. The payload operations were carried out effectively by the spacecraft operations team from the mission operations complex (MOX) at ISTRAC and ISRO’s Safe and Sustainable Spacecraft Operations Management (IS4OM) System has been monitoring and analyzing the orbital decay throughout. .

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Until it got close to re-entry, POEM-3 was tracked by ISTRAC ground stations. The Multi-Object Tracking Radar (MOTR) at Shriharikota was also tracking the PS4 phase till the morning of March 21. POEM-3 was also supported by other Centers like URSC, LPSC and IISU.

ISRO reaffirmed its commitment to offer a cost-effective orbital experiment platform. Recognizing the increasing danger posed by space debris, especially with the emergence of numerous small satellite constellations, the agency emphasized the significant threat it poses to space operations, covering satellite launches, human spaceflight efforts, and exploration missions. .

In line with its ethos as a responsible space agency, ISRO pledged to address this challenge by promoting debris tracking systems, developing technologies for de-orbiting space objects, and promoting responsible practices for the use of satellites. By doing so, ISRO aims to protect orbital environments, ensuring they are viable for today’s and future space missions.

(With input from ANI)

Milestone Alert!
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Published: 26 Mar 2024, 06:41 AM IST