Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: POEM

Mains level: Not Much

The ISRO has launched three Singaporean satellites in precise orbit through the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module or ‘POEM’.

The POEM is a platform that will help perform in-orbit experiments using the final, and otherwise discarded, stage of ISRO’s workhorse rocket, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
The PSLV is a four-stage rocket where the first three spent stages fall back into the ocean, and the final stage (PS4) — after launching the satellite into orbit — ends up as space junk.
However, in PSLV-C53 mission, the spent final stage will be utilised as a “stabilised platform” to perform experiments.
POEM is carrying six payloads, including two from Indian space start-ups Digantara and Dhruva Space.

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 stabilize it with specified accuracy.
POEM will derive its power from solar panels mounted around the PS4 tank, and a Li-Ion battery.
It will navigate using four sun sensors, a magnetometer, gyros & NavIC.
It carries dedicated control thrusters using Helium gas storage. It is enabled with a telecomm and feature.

The Indian space agency first demonstrated the capability of using PSLV-C44 as an orbital platform in 2019.
It 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.
While in that mission, the fourth stage had Li-Ion batteries, solar panels are an addition this time.
The latest repurposing and upgrade of the fourth stage of the PSLV rocket involves the stabilization of the orbital platform.

What is PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM)?

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