Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) operator ISRO hailed Monday's flight as "another milestone" as the launch vehicle achieved zero orbital debris. The PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3's (POEM-3) "fiery end" re-entry into Earth's atmosphere on March 21 accomplished this.
"The PSLV-C58/XPoSat mission has practically left zero debris in orbit," the space agency announced. January 1st marked the successful completion of the PSLV-C58 mission. After the primary mission of putting all satellites into their desired orbits was completed, the terminal stage of PSLV was converted into the POEM-3, a 3-axis stabilized platform, according to ISRO.
According to the statement, the stage was passivated to remove remaining propellants and deorbited from 650 km to 350 km to allow for an early re-entry. This was done to minimize the dangers of unintended break-up. POEM-3 could demonstrate new technologies and conduct scientific research on the indigenous systems thanks to its nine experimental payloads. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN' SPACe) facilitated the delivery of six payloads from non-governmental entities (NGEs).
It only took a month for these payloads to accomplish their missions. According to ISRO, the upper stage's orbital height will have fallen further due to atmospheric drag and other natural forces. The module in question is predicted to have collided with the North Pacific Ocean at 14:04 UTC (19:34 Hrs. IST) on March 21, 2024.
The POEM, according to ISRO, has provided a unique opportunity for universities, businesses, and NGEs to test out their experimental payloads in space at a low cost and with a short timeframe. Many entrepreneurs, universities, and NGEs have taken use of this unique chance to conduct space experiments, such as electric thrusters, star-tracking, and satellite dispensers.
New features included in POEM include a mission management computer, standard interfaces for electric power, telemetry, and telecommand, and new algorithms for in-orbit navigation that utilize rate-gyro, sun sensor, and magnetometer. The space agency also mentioned that POEM incorporates industrial-grade components in its avionics packages.
The POEM-3 experiment team stabilized the body rates to less than 0.5 deg/s continuously and implemented new strategies, such as controlled dumping of residual propellant after the main mission, to minimize disturbances caused by passivation. This allowed for more successful science onboard. The third mission in the series, PSLV-C58/XPoSat, has successfully scripted a POEM. ISRO noted that the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) has been instrumental in conceptualizing and realizing the POEM by expanding the 4th stage of PSLV.
Spacecraft operations at ISRO's mission operations complex (MOX) at the Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) successfully executed the payload operations, and ISRO's System for Safe and Sustainable Spacecraft Operations Management (IS4OM) diligently tracked and analyzed the orbital decay throughout, according to the statement.
Thanks to the ISTRAC ground stations, POEM-3 was followed all the way up to re-entry. The PS4 stage was also followed by the Shriharikota Multi-Object Tracking Radar (MOTR) till the morning of March 21. Additional help for POEM-3 came from other centres, including as the ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU), the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), and the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC).
ISRO has stated its intention to maintain its dedication to offering an affordable orbital experiment platform in light of the increasing danger posed to space activities, such as satellite launches, human spaceflight, and exploration missions, by space debris, particularly in light of the impending proliferation of numerous small satellite constellations.
ISRO, in its role as a responsible space agency, will work to reduce this risk by creating and implementing space-object deorbiting technologies, responsible satellite deployment practices, and cutting-edge debris tracking systems. This will ensure that orbital environments are safe for both current and future space missions, the agency added.