Experimental payloads developed by Karnataka-based academia and start-ups will be launched in ISRO’s upcoming mission.

PSLV-C60 launch vehicle at the launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangements

Of the total 24 PS4-Orbital Experiment Module (POEM-4) payloads to be flown on the PSLV-C60 SpaDeX mission, four have been developed by Karnataka-based academia and start-ups. The PSLV-C60 SpaDeX mission is likely to be launched by ISRO later this month from Sriharikota.

There are four payloads: RVSat-1 payload, BGS ARPIT (Amateur Radio Payload for Information Broadcast), RUDRA 1.0 HPGP and GLX-SQ payload.

Microbiological use

The RVSat-1 payload is developed by RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru, and aims to perform microbiological experiments in low-Earth orbit under microgravity conditions.

“RVSat-1 will measure the growth kinetics of the gut bacteria, ‘Bacterides thetaiotomicron’, in space and generate a broad growth curve of the bacterium under space conditions, supplemented with prebiotics, and compare it to Earth-based data. This experiment will explore human physiology in space and astronauts’ Provides valuable data for understanding crew health and well-being during missions.Data collected from experiments has various applications such as resistant strains Development of effective antibiotics against, waste management, recycling and bioremediation processes are critical for space exploration,” ISRO said.

Amateur radio satellite

The BGS ARPIT payload was developed by SJC Institute of Technology, Chickballapur, and is a multimode message transmitter payload that can transmit audio, text and image messages from satellites using FM modulation and the VHF band. “It is designed to provide amateur radio satellite services worldwide,” the space agency said.

Developed by space start-up Bellatrix Aerospace Pvt. Ltd., the primary objectives of the RUDRA 1.0 HPGP are to demonstrate a high-performance green propulsion system, sustain steady-state thruster firing for a minimum of 50 seconds, and monitor the thermal profile of the propulsion system.

The GLX-SQ payload developed by GalaxEye Space Solutions Private Limited demonstrates the generation, capture and processing of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images in the space environment.

A walking robotic arm

In addition, the mission will also launch payloads such as the Relocatable Robotic Manipulator-Technology Demonstrator (RRM-TD), also known as a walking robotic arm. RRM-TD is India’s first space robotic manipulator with walking capability, Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS) payload which is envisioned as a multi-stage platform to develop and develop ISRO’s capabilities for growth and sustainability of plants in the outer environment.

“Designed as a fully automated system, a 5 to 7-day experiment is planned to demonstrate seed germination and plant nutrition up to the two-leaf stage in a microgravity environment,” ISRO said.

Also onboard is the Amity Plant Experimental Module in Space (APEMS) payload developed by Amity University, Mumbai, designed to study growth-related changes in plant callus using the ‘Spinacea oleracea’ model under microgravity (space environment) and Earth gravity. (natural environment)

Of the 24 payloads flown in this POEM-4 mission, 14 payloads are from ISRO centers and 10 payloads are from various academia and start-ups.