ISRO: POEM-4 makes atmospheric re-entry

The higher stage (PS4) of PSLV-C60 (PSLV Orbital Experimental Module in brief POEM-4) which was launched on December 30 final 12 months, by ISRO re-entered the ambiance and impacted at 2.33 UTC (08.03 IST), April 4, within the Indian Ocean.

It may be recalled that on December 30, ISRO’s PSLV-C60 launched twin SPADEX satellites, and after injecting the satellites at 475 km altitude, the specifically configured higher stage (PS4) of PSLV-C60 (known as PSLV Orbital Experimental Module in brief POEM-4) was additionally virtually in the identical orbit.

“Subsequently, POEM-4 was de-orbited by engine restarts to an almost round orbit at 350 km altitude with 55.2 inclination. PS4 was then passivated by venting the leftover gasoline to minimise any potential threat for unintentional break-up. Throughout its mission life, POEM-4 hosted altogether 24 payloads (14 payloads from ISRO and 10 from numerous NGEs) and all payloads labored as anticipated yielding priceless science knowledge,” ISRO mentioned.

The house company added that whereas the POEM-4 was in orbit, it was constantly tracked by ISRO’s Radar Services and United States Area Command (USSPACECOM) services as effectively.

“The monitoring knowledge was, in flip, utilised within the re-entry prediction course of. It was noticed that POEM-4’s orbit had decayed to 174 km x165 km and the platform was predicted to re-enter the Earth’s ambiance on April 4,” the house company mentioned.

In accordance with ISRO, the atmospheric re-entry occasion of POEM-4 was then carefully monitored by ISRO System for Secure and Sustainable Area Operations Administration (IS4OM) and common updates in predictions had been made. Lastly, the POEM-4 module re-entered the ambiance and impacted at 2.33 UTC (8.03 IST), April 4 within the Indian Ocean.

“The protected re-entry of POEM-4 is one more accomplishment to ISRO’s dedication to include the expansion of house particles, reaffirming the distinguished function of ISRO within the long-term sustainability of the outer house atmosphere and Particles Free Area Mission (DFSM),” the house company mentioned.