The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved another significant milestone with the successful reentry of the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM-4) into Earth’s atmosphere. The module safely splashed down in the Indian Ocean, marking a key step in ISRO’s efforts to manage space debris.
POEM-4 was part of a successful mission launched on December 30 last year from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The PSLV-C60 rocket placed the Spadex satellites into their designated orbits at an altitude of 475 kilometers. As part of this mission, the fourth stage of the PSLV, POEM-4, was also released into space.
Typically, rocket stages, after deploying satellites into orbit, can become space debris, drifting aimlessly in space. However, ISRO had already planned the reentry of the POEM-4 module into Earth’s atmosphere, successfully addressing the growing issue of space waste.
This achievement highlights ISRO’s commitment to tackling space debris, which could pose a significant threat to future space operations. Such actions by ISRO are setting an example for other space agencies around the world. By bringing POEM-4 back safely to Earth, ISRO has once again demonstrated its dedication to ensuring sustainability in space. This victory is yet another milestone in India’s space research journey.
