ISRO's Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) Mission
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is concluding 2024 with the PSLV C60/SpaDeX mission, set to launch on Monday from Sriharikota's Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 9:58 PM. This mission introduces India's first Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), a groundbreaking effort aimed at demonstrating in-space docking technology using two small satellites, Chaser (SDX01) and Target (SDX02), each weighing approximately 220 kg.
Key Objectives and Highlights:
- Technology Demonstration: SpaDeX will advance ISRO's expertise in spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking, critical for future endeavors like satellite servicing, space station operations, interplanetary missions, and potential human moon missions.
- Orbital Details: The satellites will be placed in a 470-km circular orbit at a 55-degree inclination. Separation will occur 15 minutes post-launch for SDX02, followed shortly by SDX01.
- Rendezvous and Docking Process:
- A relative velocity will be introduced between the two spacecraft during separation.
- Incremental velocity adjustments will create a 10-20 km inter-satellite separation within a day.
- Using propulsion systems, the Target will arrest its drift, aligning both satellites in the same orbit with a 20 km separation, termed Far Rendezvous.
- The Chaser will gradually approach the Target, leading to docking in early January.
Additional Payloads:
The PSLV-C60 mission also carries 24 PS4-Orbital Experiment Module payloads, further expanding ISRO's research capabilities.
This mission marks a critical milestone in India's space exploration journey, paving the way for advanced operations like space stations and interplanetary missions.
