This mission positions India among a select group of nations capable of space docking and sets the stage for revolutionising space experimentation

India’s space exploration has reached a significant milestone with the recent launch of the PSLV-C60 mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This mission featured the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) alongside the PSLV-Orbital Experiment Module (POEM-4), propelling India into an elite group of nations capable of space docking. Additionally, ISRO’s collaboration with startups, researchers, and academic institutions showcases its commitment to fostering deep-tech advancements while reducing the high costs of space experimentation.

Enhanced Resources 

Traditionally, the upper stage of a launch vehicle becomes dormant after payload deployment. However, ISRO has creatively repurposed the PSLV’s fourth stage into POEM, an orbital platform equipped with telemetry, command support, and a power supply. This transformation enables technical and scientific research in space while optimising resource use and lowering financial barriers for researchers, academic institutions, and businesses.

POEM-4 reflects ISRO’s ability to turn constraints into opportunities, providing an affordable avenue for space experimentation. This democratisation of space access marks a turning point for India’s space sector, opening the doors to innovations previously hindered by high costs and limited resources.

Empowering Startups

ISRO’s POEM-4 has significantly benefited startups and academic institutions by enabling cost-effective in-orbit technology testing. Mumbai-based Manastu Space Technologies, for instance, is developing the Vyom 2U Green Propulsion System, which replaces toxic satellite fuels with an environmentally friendly hydrogen peroxide-based alternative. This innovation addresses two key challenges in space exploration—safety and sustainability—and incorporates advanced features like a high-temperature catalyst, optimised thruster design, and proprietary green propellant MS-289. With ISRO’s support, Manastu is preparing for an upcoming PSLV mission to validate its technology, potentially positioning India as a global leader in sustainable satellite operations.

GalaxEye, another innovative startup, has developed affordable synthetic aperture radar (SAR) modules. Unlike optical imaging, SAR technology penetrates clouds, providing precise and uninterrupted satellite imagery crucial for disaster management, environmental monitoring, and more. Validating its SAR modules in space through POEM-4 positions GalaxEye to deliver cost-effective global imaging solutions. Additionally, TakeMe2Space, a startup working on space-based data centers and processing power modules, utilised POEM-4 for initial technology validation. This achievement, despite the startup’s limited funding, highlights ISRO’s commitment to nurturing deep-tech innovators and breaking down entry barriers for emerging players.

Driving Economic Growth and Innovation

ISRO’s approach with POEM-4 aligns with its broader vision of fostering public-private collaboration to stimulate economic growth. By offering advanced testing infrastructure at reduced costs, ISRO accelerates the commercialisation of innovative solutions.

Manastu Space’s collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) exemplifies the power of such synergies. With funding from DRDO’s Technology Development Fund, Manastu developed the iBooster system through years of intensive research. Its successful delivery underscores the potential of partnerships between government institutions and startups to advance national defense and space capabilities.

Push for innovations

The PSLV-C60 mission and the POEM-4 initiative position ISRO as a leader in frugal yet impactful innovation. By repurposing resources and promoting collaboration, ISRO demonstrates that groundbreaking advancements do not require massive budgets but thrive on ingenuity and inclusivity.

Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe, aptly summarized the initiative’s significance: “POEM is a practical solution deployed by ISRO that allows Indian startups, academic institutions, and research organizations to test their space technologies without the need to launch entire satellites. By making this platform accessible, we are reducing entry barriers and enabling a wider range of entities to contribute to the space sector.”

Toward a Multi-Trillion-Dollar Space Economy

India’s ambitions of becoming a multi-trillion-dollar economy find a strong ally in ISRO’s innovations. The space sector, driven by public-private partnerships, support for deep-tech startups, and inclusive access to space, is poised to play a key role in this vision. Initiatives like POEM-4 lay the groundwork for a thriving space ecosystem that fosters innovation, economic growth, and global leadership.

(The writer is , founding partner at Riceberg Ventures; views are personal)