ISRO to open its space lab on Friday

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Scripting history, the PSLV C-55 rocket will lift off with the Singapore satellite on Friday. The fourth part of the rocket (PS-4), which is left in space after the satellite launch, will be used as an experimental platform in space.

The PSLV Orbiter Experimenter Module, or POEM-2, will carry out experimental observations of new discoveries related to space launch. All this will be managed by ISRO's centre in Bengaluru. Like the space station, POEM-2 is unmanned. Expected operational capability is one year.

POEM 2 is being developed with the help of Bellatrix, Dhruva Space and Indian Institute of Aerospace. Bangalore-based startup Dhruv Space is the company that launched Thybolt-1 and Thybolt-2 satellites in 2021.

The launch of PSLV C-55 will take place tomorrow at 2.19 pm at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The public will also have an opportunity to watch the launch.

This is the first launch where components of different stages are assembled at different locations instead of assembling the components of the rocket at one place. This can reduce the time required to prepare for launch.

The 741-kilogram Teleos-02 satellite, jointly built by the Singapore government and ST Engineering, and the 16-kilogram Lumelite-4 satellite, jointly developed by the Institute of Infocomm Research, Singapore and the Satellite Technology Centre under the University of Singapore, will be launched. Teleos-02 will be used for Earth observation for weather forecasting and rescue operations. Lumelite 4 satellite is to provide maritime security system.

POEM - 2 lab

• A lithium-ion battery, four sun sensors, a magnometer, DROS and NavIC C are in the POEM-2 lab.
• The Solar Electric Propulsion System built by Bellatrix will also be tested in the POEM-2 lab
• In a four-stage PSLV rocket, the first three stages are fueled. When it burns, the rocket takes off
• The fourth part is a satellite to be launched on PS-4. Upon reaching a specified altitude, the gates open and eject the satellite
• After that, it is customary to leave the PS-4 in space. This time it is being converted into a testing ground