ISRO to sign off 2024 with space docking experiment mission on December 30
The Hindu
ISRO's final mission of 2024, PSLV C60/SPADEX, will demonstrate in-space docking technology for future space missions.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch its final mission for 2024 on December 30 with the PSLV C60/SPADEX Mission. The launch is scheduled at 9.58 p.m. from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The space agency, for the first time, will be attempting the Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) mission which will demonstrate in-space docking using two small spacecraft.
According to ISRO, SPADEX is designed to develop and demonstrate the technology needed for spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking using two small satellites. “SPADEX will serve as a milestone in advancing India’s capabilities in space docking, a critical technology for future space missions, including satellite servicing, space station operations, and interplanetary missions,” the space agency said.
The demonstration of this technology is essential for futuristic missions such as sending an Indian astronaut on the Moon, sample return from the Moon, the building and operation of the Indian Space Station.
The PSLV-C60 will launch the two small spacecraft Chaser and Target also named SDX01 and SDX02 weighing about 220 kg each into a 470 km circular orbit at 55-degree inclination separately.
SDX02 spacecraft will be the first to separate 15 minutes after the launch followed by SDX01 spacecraft a few seconds later.
“The demonstrated precision of the PSLV vehicle will be utilised to give a small relative velocity between the Target and Chaser spacecraft at the time of separation from the launch vehicle. This incremental velocity will allow the Target spacecraft to build a 10-20 km inter-satellite separation with respect to the Chaser within a day. At this point, the relative velocity between the Target will be compensated using the propulsion system of the Target spacecraft,” ISRO said.
