ISRO’s PSLV C-37 Upper Stage Re-enters Earth’s Atmosphere

October 9, 2024

On October 6, 2024, the upper stage of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle C-37 (PSLV-C37) successfully re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere. This mission, which launched on February 15, 2017, was a major achievement for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), as it set a world record by launching 104 satellites in a single mission.

Mission Overview

The PSLV-C37 mission had Cartosat-2D as its main satellite, along with 103 other satellites. Some of these included INS-1A and INS-1B. This remarkable accomplishment helped establish ISRO as a leader in the field of satellite launches.

Orbital Details

After the launch, the upper stage (called PS4) was placed into an orbit that was about 470 kilometers high and 494 kilometers wide. As it descended back to Earth, its path was closely monitored by US Space Command, which tracked the object known as NORAD 42052.

Re-Entry Process

By October 6, 2024, the upper stage had lost altitude due to atmospheric drag, and its orbit shrank to around 134 kilometers by 148 kilometers. This change led to its re-entry, which occurred at 15:49 UTC. The stage landed in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Compliance with Guidelines

ISRO made sure that the re-entry followed international guidelines for reducing space debris, particularly those from the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC). These guidelines suggest that objects that are no longer active should stay in low Earth orbit for no more than 25 years after their mission.

Future Initiatives

To promote responsible operations in space, ISRO is working on reducing the time its PSLV upper stages spend in orbit to five years or less. They are incorporating controlled re-entry plans in upcoming missions to ensure they comply with space debris guidelines.

ISRO aims to achieve a Debris Free Space Mission (DFSM) by 2030. This plan involves taking steps to ensure that space activities are sustainable and to minimize the amount of debris in space.

About PSLV C-37

The PSLV C-37 mission, launched on February 15, 2017, set a world record by deploying 104 satellites in one go. It showcased the enhanced capabilities of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. Among these satellites, 101 were from foreign countries, mainly the USA. The main satellite was Cartosat-2 Series, which is used for mapping and surveying. The success of PSLV C-37 highlighted India’s growing role and importance in the space industry, demonstrating ISRO’s ability to accurately place satellites in their intended orbits.

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