Overview:
- Mission Name: SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment)
- Launch Vehicle: PSLV-C60 (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle)
- Launch Date: December 30, 2024, at 9:58 p.m.
- Launch Location: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota
Relevance : GS 3(Space )
Key Details:
- Spacecraft Involved:
- Chaser (SDX01) and Target (SDX02) spacecraft.
- Each spacecraft weighs approximately 220 kg.
- Both will be placed into a 470 km circular orbit at a 55-degree inclination.
- Objective:
- Spacecraft Rendezvous, Docking, and Undocking: This mission is a critical step in demonstrating the technology required for future space missions, including satellite servicing, space station operations, and interplanetary missions.
- Technology Demonstration: The experiment will advance India’s capabilities in space docking, an essential technology for future missions like lunar exploration, building an Indian space station, and sending Indian astronauts to the Moon.
Mission Phases:
- Initial Phase:
- Separation of Spacecraft: The SDX02 spacecraft will separate first, followed by SDX01 after a few seconds.
- The spacecraft will be given a small relative velocity to ensure a 10-20 km separation between them.
- Far Rendezvous:
- After separation, the Target spacecraft will use its propulsion system to adjust its relative velocity, allowing both spacecraft to match their velocities and remain in the same orbit but separated by about 20 km.
- Final Phase:
- The Chaser spacecraft will gradually close the distance with the Target spacecraft, ultimately docking in the first week of January 2025.
Mission Significance:
- Futuristic Missions: This docking experiment is crucial for the success of upcoming missions, such as:
- Lunar Missions: Sending an Indian astronaut to the Moon.
- Interplanetary Missions: Sample returns from the Moon and Mars.
- Space Station: The operation of an Indian space station.
- PS4-Orbital Experiment Module Payloads:
- 24 payloads will be carried onboard the PSLV–C60, contributing to ISRO’s ongoing experiments and advancements in space technology.
Milestone for India:
- Space Docking Technology: India aims to join an exclusive group of countries (USA, Russia, China) that have mastered space docking technology.
- International Significance: The success of this mission will not only showcase India’s growing space capabilities but also pave the way for more complex space operations in the future.
