Experimental payloads developed by Karnataka-based academia and start-ups to be launched in ISRO upcoming mission

PSLV-C60 launch vehicle at the launch pad in Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARANGEMENT

Of the total 24 PS4-Orbital Experiment Module (POEM-4) payloads which will be flown onboard 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 by the end of this month from Sriharikota.

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

Microbiological experiment

The RVSat-1 payload is developed by R.V. College of Engineering, Bengaluru, and aims to perform a microbiological experiment under microgravity conditions in Low Earth Orbit.

“RVSat-1 will measure the growth kinetics of a gut bacterium, ‘Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron,’ in space and generate a comprehensive growth curve of the bacterium under space conditions, supplemented with prebiotics, and compare it with Earth-based data. This experiment provides valuable data for understanding human physiology in space and astronaut health and well-being during crewed missions. The data collected from the experiment has diverse applications such as the development of effective antibiotics against resistant strains, waste management, recycling and bioremediation processes critical for space exploration,” ISRO said.

Amateur radio satellites

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

Developed by space start-up Bellatrix Aerospace Pvt. Ltd., RUDRA 1.0 HPGP’s primary objectives 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 a space environment.  

Walking robotic arm

In addition the mission will also see the launch of payloads such as Relocatable Robotic Manipulator-Technology Demonstrator (RRM-TD), also known as the Walking Robotic Arm. The 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-phase platform to develop and evolve ISRO’s capabilities for growing and sustaining flora in extraterrestrial environments.

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

Also onboard is the Amity Plant Experimental Module in Space (APEMS) payload is developed by Amity University, Mumbai, which is designed to study growth-related changes in plant callus using the ‘Spinacia 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 centres and 10 payloads are from various academia and start-ups.