PSLV-C60 Mission | 10 payload from non-government entities successfully deployed on POEM-4

ISRO’s PSLV-C60 / SpaDeX Mission (launched on December 30, 2024) successfully deployed 24 payloads onboard the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM-4).
Of these, 10 payloads were from Non-Government Entities (NGEs), facilitated by IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre).

Concept: Repurposes the fourth stage (PS4) of PSLV into an orbital platform after the primary mission.
Functions: Provides power supply, telemetry, navigation, and command support for hosted experiments.
Utility: Enables start-ups, academic institutions, and research organisations to conduct in-orbit experiments without the need to build full satellites.
Advantage: Cost-effective, rapid development cycle, capacity building for NGEs.

Total payloads: 24 (scientific & technological experiments).
NGE payloads (10):
- RV-SAT1 (RV Engineering College, Bengaluru) → to study gut bacteria Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and prebiotic effects in microgravity.
- APEMS payload (Amity University Maharashtra, Mumbai) → to study growth changes of plant callus in Spinacia oleracea (spinach) under microgravity and natural gravity.
Orbit: ~350 km altitude, 55° inclination.
Role of IN-SPACe: Facilitated access for NGEs, enabling space qualification of technologies.

Promotes private sector participation in India’s space programme.
Reduces entry barriers for start-ups and universities.
Supports innovation in life sciences, materials research, and space technologies.
Strengthens India’s reputation as a low-cost innovation hub in space research.
Complements India’s vision of becoming a global space innovation and launch hub.

IN-SPACe: Autonomous nodal agency under Department of Space to promote private participation.
ISRO: Provides technical support & launch infrastructure.
NSIL (NewSpace India Limited): Commercial arm, handles contracts and revenue generation.

Updated - January 02, 2025 10:32 am | The Hindu