In a remarkable demonstration of student innovation and scientific excellence, MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU), Pune has etched its name in India's space history through successful participation in ISRO's PSLV-C60 launch that happened on 30th December 2024. We are proud to be one among the Top 4 Institutes across the country to have played a key role in this PSLV launch. The Space Technology Research Group (STeRG) of MIT-WPU has developed a payload under the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (DoEEE) and the Center of Excellence in Space Technology. This groundbreaking POEM-4 payload, designated as STeRG-P1.0, aboard PSLV C-60, was successfully launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC)-SHAR in Sriharikota. This achievement marked a significant milestone in the institution's journey toward space exploration.

The STeRG team's innovative payload, weighing just 0.380 kg and measuring 100 x 100 x 25 mm, has been indigenously designed to test the performance of MEMS-based IMU sensors and ARM-based microcontrollers for attitude and heading determination in space. This crucial technology will contribute to advancing our understanding of sensor behaviour in the challenging environment of space. What makes this achievement particularly noteworthy is the payload's cost-effective and sophisticated design incorporating :

• Four COTS MEMS-based 9-axis IMU sensors for precise attitude measurements
• Advanced 32-bit ARM Cortex M4 microcontroller for efficient data processing
• Innovative data filtration techniques ensuring superior accuracy
• High-resolution data acquisition and storage capabilities

This breakthrough represents the perfect synergy between student innovation, faculty mentorship and the continued support from MIT-WPU. The student team comprised of passionate innovators as mentioned below,

• Shreerang Saranjame (Mission Lead)
• Achintya Chawre (Project Founder)
• Gaurav Prajapati (Software Head)
• Vivaswan Sapre (Software Team)
• Vedant Vaidya (Mission Manager)
• Prathamesh Phatak (Hardware Team)
• Pratham Chavan (Mechanical Team)
• Gaurang Mathur (Project Founder)
• Chaitanya Sahasrabuddhe (Project Founder)
• Tanush Joshi (Team Manager)

Under the guidance of distinguished faculty members like Dr. Vinaya Gohokar, Dr. Parul Jadhav, Dr.Apurva Naik, Dr.Raghunath Bhadade, Dr.Savitri Jadhav, and Dr.Anjali Askhedkar, the team transformed their vision into reality. The path to this achievement was marked by dedication and perseverance. The team successfully navigated through rigorous testing phases, including EMI/EMC, Vibration, ThermoVac, and Shock tests. Their commitment to excellence was evident as they overcame resource constraints and technical challenges, emerging stronger with each hurdle.

This milestone achievement has been made possible through the unwavering support of MIT- WPU's leadership headed by Dr. Rahul V. Karad along with the dedicated efforts of the Centre of Excellence for Space Technology and the Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering. The successful launch of STeRG-P1.0 aboard PSLV-C60 not only showcases MIT-WPU's technical prowess but also emphasises its commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration. This achievement stands as a testament to what young minds can accomplish when provided with the right platform and guidance.