Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is celebrating a significant milestone as the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3 (POEM-3) burns during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, leaving behind zero debris in orbit.
Following the primary mission, the terminal stage of the PSLV was repurposed into the three-axis stabilised platform, POEM-3, for experimental endeavours.
ISRO details the de-orbiting process, bringing POEM-3 from 650 km to 350 km, to ensure early re-entry and minimize accidental break-up risks by passivating residual propellants.
POEM-3 carried nine experimental payloads, including six from non-governmental entities, to demonstrate technology and conduct scientific experiments on indigenous systems.
ISRO highlights the effective execution of mission objectives by the spacecraft operations team from Isro Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), along with monitoring by IS4OM.
Tracking of POEM-3 was conducted by ISTRAC ground stations and the Multi-Object Tracking Radar (MOTR) at Shriharikota, with support from other ISRO centres like URSC, LPSC, and IISU.
ISRO underscores the significance of POEM-3 in providing cost-effective opportunities for academia, startups, and non-governmental entities to conduct short-term space experiments, fostering innovation and exploration in space.