ISRO Returns To Launch Pad For 2024’s Last Mission: In-Space Docking Test
ISRO Returns To Launch Pad For 2024’s Last Mission: In-Space Docking Test
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for the final mission of the year – PSLV-C60/SPADEX, which will demonstrate in-space docking technology using two small spacecraft.The mission is scheduled for launch by the end of the month, though the exact time has yet to be announced.
If India succeeds, it will become only the fourth country in the world to achieve this feat. In-space docking is a critical technology needed for multiple rocket launches aimed at achieving common mission objectives, including lunar sample collection and the establishment of the Bharatiya Antriksh Station (BAS).
On Saturday, the space agency announced that it had successfully integrated the launch vehicle and moved it to the First Launch Pad for further integration of the satellites. The goal is to successfully perform the docking and undocking of two 220 kg spacecraft – SDX02 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target) – in low Earth orbit in a cost-effective manner.ISRO
Both satellites will be launched by PSLV-C60 independently and simultaneously into a 470 km circular orbit with a local time cycle of about 66 days. The PSLV will create a small relative velocity between the two spacecraft upon separation, which will allow the Target spacecraft to achieve a 10-20 km separation from the Chaser within a day. Once this distance is reached, the Target spacecraft’s propulsion system will adjust the relative velocity.
By the end of this phase, the two satellites will be in the same orbit with the same velocity, but separated by about 20 km. The Chaser will gradually close the distance to the Target spacecraft, reducing the gap to 5 km, 1.5 km, 500 meters, and finally 3 meters, leading to docking. After successful docking, scientists will also attempt a transfer of electric power between the docked spacecraft, which will be useful for future robotic applications, as well as payload operations.
WHAT WILL THE SATELLITES DO AFTER UNDOCKING?
After successful docking, the two satellites will separate and begin operating their payloads for a mission life of up to two years. They each carry a High-Resolution Camera (HRC) on board – a miniature version of the surveillance camera developed by the Space Applications Centre – as well as a miniature Multi-Spectral Payload (MMX). This imaging will be useful for natural resource monitoring and vegetation studies.ISRO
The satellites are also equipped with a radiation monitor, which will measure radiation dose encounters in space to help generate a radiation database for future space science studies with applications in human spaceflight.
The SpaDeX mission has been indigenously designed and realized by the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) with the support of other ISRO centres. ISTRAC will control the spacecraft during the orbital phase using ISRO ground stations and other externally contracted ground stations. Full integration and testing of the satellites were carried out at AnanthISROKerala Lottery Results 22.12.2024: Akshaya AK-682 Winners Soon; First Prize Rs 70 Lakh!
