The PSLV Orbital Platform Experiment Module (POEM-4) fourth edition successfully completed 1,000 orbits on March 4, 2025, according to ISRO. As part of the PSLV-C60 Mission, which was launched on December 30, 2024, POEM-4, a repurposed spent upper stage of the PSLV vehicle, was used in the space docking experiment mission. POEM-4 started up after the SPADEX spacecraft was successfully injected.
In addition to carrying 24 payloads, including 10 from Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) and 14 from ISRO, POEM-4 was set up as a three-axis stabilized platform.
All of the payloads finished the experiments they were supposed to while in orbit, spanning a variety of scientific fields like space robotics, green propulsion, laser ignition of pyro thrusters, bacterial growth and seed germination in microgravity, amateur radio transmission, and sophisticated sensors. Furthermore, as part of an AI lab in space, a space start-up tested the execution and uplinking of an AI model.
The POEM-4 avionics system verified the use of a Nano star sensor for navigation and a Mission Management Computer built on a 32-bit “Made-in-India” processor, Vikram3801.
In comparison to earlier POEM missions, the platform’s orbital life was increased by at least 45 days by using cold gas thrusters and a stabilization system based on reaction wheels. Out of all POEM missions, POEM-4 carried the most payloads, demonstrating its adaptability as an affordable experimental platform for a variety of payloads.