ISRO: POEM-4 makes atmospheric re-entry – The Hindu

Whereas the higher stage of PSLV-C60 (PSLV Orbital Experimental Module or POEM-4) was in orbit, it was constantly tracked by ISRO’s Radar Amenities and United States House Command (USSPACECOM) services as effectively. Photograph: Particular Association

The higher stage (PS4) of PSLV-C60 (PSLV Orbital Experimental Module in brief POEM-4) which was launched on December 30, 2024, by ISRO re-entered the environment and impacted at 2.33 UTC (8.03 a.m. IST) on April 4, 2025, within the Indian Ocean.

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 (referred to as PSLV Orbital Experimental Module in brief POEM-4) was additionally nearly 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 danger for unintentional break-up. Throughout its mission life, POEM-4 hosted altogether 24 payloads (14 payloads from ISRO and 10 from varied NGEs) and all payloads labored as anticipated yielding helpful science knowledge,” ISRO stated.

The area company added that whereas the POEM-4 was in orbit, it was constantly tracked by ISRO’s Radar Amenities and United States House 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 environment on April 4,” the area company stated.

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

“The protected re-entry of POEM-4 is yet one more accomplishment to ISRO’s dedication to comprise the expansion of area particles, reaffirming the outstanding function of ISRO within the long-term sustainability of the outer area atmosphere and Particles Free House Mission (DFSM),” the area company stated.