India's space endeavors in 2024 are set to commence with a launch on the first day of the year. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is currently in the final stages of pre-launch activities, preparing to deploy the X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) aboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). Following the deployment of the main satellite, the PSLV's last stage will carry an additional 10 payloads.
 
In addition to XPoSAT, the primary satellite, the PSLV mission will transport an additional 10 payloads or instruments into space using its final stage, known as the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module, or POEM.
 
Space Startups Launch Cutting-Edge Technologies
 
The five instruments included on the POEM platform, as detailed by ISRO, are:
 
Radiation Shielding Experimental Module (RSEM): Designed to assess the effectiveness of Tantalum coating, developed by TakeMe2Space, Hyderabad.
 
Women Engineered Satellite (WESAT): Aims to measure Solar Irradiance and UV Index, crafted by LBS Institute of Technology for Women.
 
BeliefSat-0: An amateur radio satellite created by KJ Somaiya Institute of Technology.
 
Green Impulse Transmitter (GITA): A green bipropellant CubeSat propulsion unit from Inspecity Space Labs Private Limited.
 
Launching Expeditions for Aspiring Technologies - Technology Demonstrator (LEAP-TD): For demonstrating microsatellite subsystems, by Dhruva Space.
 
Other 5 includes
 
RUDRA 0.3 HPGP and ARKA-200: Two instruments from Bengaluru's Bellatrix Aerospace; RUDRA 0.3 HPGP is a green monopropellant thruster, and ARKA-200 is a heater-less hollow cathode for Hall thrusters.
 
Fuel Cell Power System (FCPS) and Silicon-based High Energy Cell: Two payloads developed by ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC); FCPS for fuel cell demonstration and a Silicon-based high energy cell.
 
Dust Experiment (DEX); A payload from Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) designed to measure the interplanetary dust count.
 
"PSLV's POEM: Pioneering Orbital Space Experiments"
 
The POEM (PSLV Orbital Experimental Module) is an innovative platform utilized for performing experiments in space, making use of the final stage of ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The PSLV is a rocket with four stages. The initial three stages drop into the ocean after use, while the final stage (PS4), typically left as space debris, is repurposed in POEM for conducting orbital experiments after delivering the satellite to its orbit.
 
During the PSLV-C53 mission, the final stage, after being expended, will serve as a "stabilized platform" for various experiments. This mission marks the first instance where the PS4 stage, through the POEM platform, will orbit the Earth as a stabilized platform for conducting experiments.
 
The PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) is equipped with a specialized Navigation Guidance and Control (NGC) system to maintain stable orientation in space. It is powered by solar panels mounted around the PS4 tank, supplemented by a lithium-ion battery. For navigation, POEM utilizes an array of four sun sensors, a magnetometer, gyroscopes, and the NavIC system.
 
"PS4 Fuel Tank: POEM's Core"
 
The term "PS4 tank" refers to the fuel tank of the fourth stage (PS4) of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). In a multi-stage rocket like the PSLV, each stage has its own engines and fuel tanks. The PS4 is the uppermost stage of the PSLV, responsible for placing the satellite into its final orbit. The fuel tank in this stage, known as the PS4 tank, holds the propellant needed for this final push. In the context of the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM), solar panels are installed around this tank, utilizing the structure of the PS4 stage even after its primary function of satellite deployment is completed.
 
 

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Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.

In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.

Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.

Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.

According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.

He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.

He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.

Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.

He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.

Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.

He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.