Context : Autonomous Space Docking Technology
- The SpaDeX mission aims to demonstrate and master autonomous space docking technology.
- India will join the exclusive club of countries (U.S., Russia, and China) with space docking expertise.
Relevance : GS 3(Science , Technology )
Mission Overview:
- Two satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), will be launched into a 470 km low-Earth orbit using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
- The mission will test rendezvous, docking, and undocking technologies.
Crucial for Lunar Missions:
- Mastering docking is essential for future lunar missions like Chandrayaan-4.
- The mission’s precision is particularly challenging due to the small size and mass of the spacecraft.
Space Exploration Advancements:
- The mission will also carry 24 payloads, including experiments that will advance ISRO’s space exploration capabilities.
- It will support missions involving astronauts, sample returns, and advanced space infrastructure.
Boost to Space Startups:
- The mission will also support Indian space startups, with 10 experiments from private universities and startups.
- This opens up opportunities for research and development in space technologies.
Agriculture in Space:
- The mission will include experiments to study seed germination and plant growth in space, particularly focusing on crops like spinach and cowpeas, as part of the Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS).
-Source : Live Mint
