About the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM-4)

• POEM-4 is a platform developed by ISRO that repurposes the spent 4th stage of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) into a functional orbital laboratory.
• It enables cost-effective research in space by hosting various scientific and technological experiments in microgravity.
• It utilizes the fourth stage of the PSLV rocket as a stable microgravity testbed.
• It supports diverse experiments, such as studying plant growth, bacterial behavior, and other space phenomena.
• It thus maximizes the utility of what would otherwise become space debris.
• POEM-4 was launched aboard the PSLV-C60 rocket, also known as the SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) mission.

PYQ:

[2018] With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements:

1. PSLVs launch satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites.
2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth.
3. GSLV Mk III is a four-staged launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors; and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 3 only