GS Paper - III

In a significant milestone for India’s space sector, TakeMe2Space, a domestic nano-satellite development company, and Azista Aerospace, a satellite development and manufacturing firm, have partnered to establish the country’s first POEM (PSLV Orbital Experimental Module) Experience Centre in Ahmedabad. This collaborative effort is set to transform how academia, researchers, and startups engage with space experimentation, opening new doors to innovation and accessibility.

What is POEM?

• The PSLV Orbital Experimental Module is a platform that will help perform in-orbit experiments using the final, and otherwise discarded stage of ISRO’s workhorse rocket, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
• The PSLV is a four-stage rocket where the first three spent stages fall back into the ocean, and the final stage (PS4) — after launching the satellite into orbit — ends up as space junk.
• The POEM platform, developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has already gained recognition for its affordability and reliability.
• Now, with the creation of this cutting-edge experience centre, space enthusiasts and professionals will have unprecedented opportunities to build, test, and qualify their payloads for POEM missions.

Revolutionizing Payload Development

• The POEM Experience Centre aims to democratize access to space technology by providing participants with state-of-the-art testing resources.
• Equipped with advanced facilities, including an Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) chamber, the centre will streamline the complex process of developing and testing payloads.
• Space innovators can now qualify their payloads with greater ease, speed, and precision.

A New Dawn for Space Accessibility

• Set to begin operations in October 2024, the POEM Experience Centre is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping India’s space future.
• By simplifying access to advanced testing and development facilities, the centre is not only empowering local innovators but also contributing to the country’s position as a global leader in space exploration.