(This story originally appeared in on Dec 13, 2018)

Can a dead rocket in space be anything but debris? Isro believes it might actually be useful. Feted for its frugality and tech-savviness, , the Indian Space Research Organisation is working on a new technology where it will use the last stage of the PSLV rocket for space experiments. It will perform a technology demonstration of this new system when it launches the PSLV C44 rocket in January.Talking to TOI here, Isro chairman K Sivan said, “Normally, the last stage of a PSLV rocket after releasing the primary satellite in space becomes dead and categorised as debris. Now, we are working on a new technology where we will give life to this “dead” last stage of PSLV for six months. This will be the most cost-effective way to perform experiments in space as we don’t have to launch a separate rocket for the purpose.” He said that “India is the only country in the world that is working on this new technology”.He said, “The rocket stage of PSLV C44, which will be carrying a microsat as the primary satellite in January, will be made alive with the help of new systems that will include batteries and solar panel. Even after the primary satellite separates from the PSLV, the last stage of the rocket will remain active and can be used as an experimental platform for new technologies. Students or space scientists can use this “alive” rocket stage for space experiments for free. They can attach their experimental module in the last stage and perform tests.” He said Isro “can use the same technology on GSLV as well”. Sivan said Isro is going to make an “announcement of opportunity to invite proposals.Explaining the process, former Isro chairman and space expert A S Kiran Kumar told TOI, “The last stage usually keeps tumbling in the same orbit without any control where it has released the satellite. To keep it stabilised, we will keep additional fuel in a separate compartment without disturbing the original configuration.”On the stage lifespan, he said, “Soon after releasing the satellite, the last stage keeps falling and finally it enters the atmosphere and burns out. By inserting batteries and a solar panel, we can increase its lifespan for months by making it communicable from the ground station. It can then be used for as a platform for experiments like microgravity tests. He said, “Students don’t need to launch a full-fledged satellite. They just need the instruments with which they want to do experiments and attach them with the last stage. The instruments will be powered by the last stage.”