ISRO launches fuel cell to test power source for future Bhartiya Space Station (GS Paper 3, Science and Technology)
Why in news?
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched a Fuel Cell Power System (FCPS) designed to test the power source for the upcoming Indian Space Station. The experiment was launched aboard the PSLV-C58 mission that carried the XPoSat observatory to space.
About FCPS:
- Developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC), a part of ISRO, this fuel cell is a new technology to pioneer a sustainable and efficient power source in space exploration.
- The FCPS was launched aboard the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM), which is essentially the fourth stage of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.
- Initially placed into a 650 km orbit with the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSAT) mission, the POEM fourth stage was subsequently lowered to a 350 km orbit through a series of controlled maneuvers.
- This strategic lowering of the orbit was crucial for maintaining the stability required for the onboard experiments, including the FCPS.
Advantage:
- This innovative fuel cell technology is expected to be a game-changer for long-duration space missions.
- Unlike traditional power systems, fuel cells offer the advantage of converting chemical energy from fuels directly into electricity through electrochemical reactions, providing a much longer supply of electrical energy.
Potential:
- ISRO's move to test the FCPS in the lower orbit is part of a broader strategy to validate technologies that will be critical for the success of the proposed Indian Space Station.
- Slated to be established in Low Earth Orbit at an altitude ranging from 120 to 140 km, the space station is expected to serve as a platform for various microgravity experiments, contributing significantly to space science and technology.
Way Forward:
- The successful deployment and testing of the FCPS are indicative of ISRO's forward-thinking approach to space exploration.
- By harnessing the potential of fuel cell technology, ISRO is not only paving the way for its ambitious space station project but also setting a precedent for sustainable practices in space missions.
ISRO PSLV C58 XPoSat mission
(GS Paper 3, Science and Technology)
Why in news?
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)'s PSLV-C58 has launched XPOSAT Satellite into an Eastward low inclination orbit on January 01, 2024.
- After injection of XPOSAT, the PS4 stage was re-started twice to reduce the orbit into 350 km circular orbit to maintain in 3-axis stabilized mode for Orbital Platform (OP) experiments.
- The PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3 (POEM-3) experiment will be executed meeting the objective of 10 identified payloads, supplied by ISRO and IN-SPACe.
XPoSat:
- XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) is the first dedicated scientific satellite from ISRO to carry out research in space-based polarisation measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources.
- The Satellite configuration is modified from the IMS-2 bus platform.
- The Configuration of the mainframe systems are derived based on the heritage of IRS satellites.
Payloads:
- It carries two payloads namely POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing).
- POLIX is realized by Raman Research Institute and XSPECT is by Space Astronomy Group of URSC.
- The primary payload, POLIX will measure the degree and angle of polarisation in the medium X-ray energy range of 8-30 keV photons of astronomical origin.
- The XSPECT payload will offer spectroscopic information in the energy range of 0.8-15 keV.
Objectives:
- To measure polarisation of X-rays in the energy band 8-30keV emanating from about 50 potential cosmic sources through Thomson Scattering by POLIX payload.
- To carry out long term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic X-ray sources in the energy band 0.8-15keV by XSPECT payload.
- To carry out polarisation and spectroscopic measurements of X-ray emissions from cosmic sources by POLIX and XSPECT payloads respectively in the common energy band.
