ISRO’s Breakthrough in Space Agriculture

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Key Highlights of the ISRO’s CROPS Mission
• What is the POEM-4 Platform?
• What is the SpaDeX Mission?
• Conclusion

Why in News?

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in space agriculture with its Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS) aboard the PSLV-C60 mission.
• The successful germination of cowpea seeds in space marks a major step in understanding plant biology in microgravity conditions.

Key Highlights of the ISRO’s CROPS Mission:

• About: The CROPS payload, developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), is envisioned as a multi-phase platform to develop and evolve ISRO’s capabilities for growing and sustaining flora in extra-terrestrial environments.
• Successful germination in space:
  • Launch details: The CROPS experiment was launched on December 30, 2024, aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C60 mission.
  • Experiment setup: Cowpea seeds were housed in the POEM-4 platform, which repurposes the PSLV rocket’s fourth stage for scientific research.
  • Results: Within four days of launch, eight cowpea seeds sprouted their first leaves, demonstrating plant growth potential in space.
• Significance of the CROPS experiment:
  • Understanding microgravity effects: The experiment provides crucial insights into how plants adapt and grow in the unique environment of space.
  • Supporting deep space exploration: Insights from the CROPS experiment are essential for long-duration missions, such as those to Mars, by helping develop sustainable life support systems.
  • Contributions to astrobotany: The successful sprouting of seeds enhances global research on growing food in extraterrestrial environments.
• Broader implications: (POEM-4 and collaborative research)
  • Payload diversity: The POEM-4 module carries 24 payloads, including experiments from ISRO and academic institutions.
  • Public-private collaboration: The mission underscores the importance of cooperation between government and private entities to advance space science.
• Future applications:
  • Ensuring food security in space: The data from this experiment could pave the way for sustainable agricultural systems in space, ensuring food availability for astronauts on extended missions.
  • Deep space mission readiness: Research like CROPS is instrumental for humanity’s ambitious goals of Mars colonization and beyond.

What is the POEM-4 Platform?

• About:
  • Also known as PSLV Orbital Experiment Module (POEM)-4, it is a space research platform that uses the spent fourth stage of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) to conduct experiments in microgravity.
  • It is part of the ISRO SpaDeX Mission, and is the fourth deployment of the POEM platform. It has a capacity that is three times greater than the previous POEM-3 platform.
• Other facts:
  • Experiments: Includes experiments on robotics, sensors, space science, and proof-of-concept technologies.
  • Benefits: Helps validate technologies for future missions, and provides data for space medicine and Earth applications.
  • Payloads: 24 payloads from ISRO, start-ups, and educational institutions.
• Some of the payloads on the POEM-4 platform include:
  • Walking Robotic Arm (RRM-TD): A robotic manipulator that can move in an inchworm-like motion for inspection and servicing.
  • Debris Capture Robotic Manipulator: A VSSC innovation that can capture and manipulate debris to help with space clean-up.
  • Gradient Control Reaction Wheel Assembly (RWA): An IISU payload that uses reaction wheels to improve the POEM platform’s attitude stabilization.

What is the SpaDeX Mission?

• SpaDeX mission is a cost-effective technology demonstrator mission for the demonstration of in-space docking using two small spacecraft launched by PSLV.
• This technology is essential for India’s space ambitions such as Indian on Moon, sample return from the Moon, the building and operation of Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), etc.
• In-space docking technology is essential when multiple rocket launches are required to achieve common mission objectives.
• Through this mission, India is marching towards becoming the fourth country in the world to have space docking technology.

Conclusion:

• ISRO’s CROPS experiment represents a significant leap in space research, demonstrating India’s capability in astrobotany and its commitment to addressing the challenges of long-term space exploration.
• The successful germination of cowpea seeds aboard the PSLV-C60 mission sets the stage for further advancements in sustainable space agriculture and deep-space missions.

Q.1. What are the effects of microgravity in space?

Microgravity refers to the condition where gravity seems to be very small. In microgravity, astronauts can float in their spacecraft – or outside, on a spacewalk.

Q.2. What is the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS)?

The BAS is India’s first modular space station, which will be operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The station will be used for scientific research, including life sciences, medicine, and space technology.

Source: TH | ToI | ISRO

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