'Zero Debris In Orbit': ISRO's POEM-3 Completes Successful Mission — Here's All About It

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced on 25 March a significant milestone achieved with the successful re-entry of the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3 (POEM-3) into the Earth’s atmosphere, leaving zero debris in orbit.

"The PSLV-C58/XPoSat mission has practically left zero debris in orbit," the ISRO said in a statement.

The milestone was reached on 21 March 2024, following the completion of the PSLV-C58/XPoSat mission, which saw minimal debris left in orbit.

As per reports, the PSLV-C58 Mission, executed on 1 January 2024, accomplished its primary objective of deploying all satellites into their designated orbits.

Subsequently, the terminal stage of the PSLV was transformed into the POEM-3, a three-axis stabilised platform.

The stage was de-orbited from an altitude of 650 km to 350 km, facilitating its early re-entry, and passivated to minimise any risks of accidental break-up due to residual propellants.

POEM-3 was equipped with nine distinct experimental payloads, designed to perform technology demonstrations and scientific experiments on newly developed domestic systems.

Six of these payloads were contributed by New Generation Enterprises (NGEs) through the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe).

Within a month, these payloads successfully achieved their mission objectives, demonstrating the effectiveness and potential of the collaboration between ISRO, IN-SPACe, and the private sector in advancing space technology and research.

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