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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Nagpur (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as the "vatvruksh", or banyan tree, of India’s immortal culture and modernisation whose ideals and principles were to protect the national consciousness.

India today is surging ahead by discarding the "slave mentality" and symbols of slavery, Modi further said after laying the foundation stone of Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre, a new extension building of Madhav Netralaya Eye Institute & Research Centre in Nagpur.

''We discarded the penal code which was made with a slave mentality and implemented the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Our mantra of vasudhaiva kutumbakam (the world is one family) is reaching all corners of the globe,'' he said.

The RSS volunteers are working selflessly in various spheres in different parts of the country, the PM said.

"The Sangh is the ‘banyan tree’ of India’s immortal culture and modernisation," Modi said. ''This large vatvruksh is not an ordinary one," he said, adding the RSS is synonymous to service.

Madhav Netralaya was founded in 2014 in memory of late RSS chief Madhavrao Sadashivrao Golwalkar.

Modi described it as an institution serving the society for several decades on the ideals of Golwalkar, the second RSS chief.

The new project will end darkness in the people's lives and expedite the service, he said.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat was present at the event.

Modi said the government’s policy is to ensure the best medical treatment to the poorest of the poor, Modi said.

There has been a three-fold increase in the number of operational All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) under his regime, he said.

“Our government is making efforts to provide more and better doctors to people,” the prime minister said.

Crores of people are getting free medical treatment due to the Ayushman Bharat scheme, Modi said.

Modi said the ''tapasya'' of RSS with its ''sanghathan'' and ''samarpan'' in the last 100 years is showing fruits as the country approaches its target of 'Viksit Bharat' in 2047.

The 1925-47 was a crisis period as the country was fighting for independence and now, after 100 years, the RSS is stepping into another milestone, he said.

''(The time span from) 2025 to 2047 is important because big goals are ahead of us. We have to lay the foundation stone of the next 1,000 years of a strong and developed India,'' Modi said.

He said the risk-taking capacity of the youth has increased, they are making new innovations in start-ups and are also proud of their own legacy.

Crores of youth visited the Maha Kumbh (held in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26 this year), they have made 'Make in India' (initiative) a success and have become '' vocal for local'', Modi said.

The youth are participating in nation-building -- from sports to space, the prime minister noted.

Modi also said India launched 'Operation Brahma' to help Myanmar battling damages due to a massive earthquake there recently, and added that COVID-19 vaccines were being provided to several countries.

The PM greeted people on Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, starting of Navratri and other festivals being celebrated across the country.

Modi said he also visited Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur and offered tributes to Dr BR Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, whose birth anniversary falls next month.

The nation is celebrating 75 years of the Constitution this year and the RSS is completing 100 years (of its formation), he noted.

Modi said the Madhav Netralaya was giving impetus to the health sector and the government's priority has been to provide better health infrastructure to all sections of the people.

''Senior citizens' welfare is the government's policy through the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The poor and the middle class are getting affordable medicines, and in the last 10 years, Ayushman Arogya mandirs have been providing daily medical consultation in rural areas. We have increased the number of medical colleges and the operational AIIMS have been increased three-fold,'' he said.

Underscoring the need for providing more and better doctors, Modi said his government had decided to impart medical education to students in their mother tongue so that those from the poor families can become doctors.

On the occasion, Bhagwat said the Madhav Netralaya worked hard for several years for people's welfare. It is inspired by the Sangh's ideology of selfless service, he said.

'' It doesn't look good that people are bereft of health facilities and hence, the RSS volunteers have selflessly worked to provide vision to the needy at the Madhav Netralaya,'' he said.

The RSS volunteers don't seek anything for themselves but work for others in the society, Bhagwat said.

Service is life's mission for the RSS, he added.