ISRO’s SpaDeX mission aims for satellite docking milestone

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to close 2024 on a high note with the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), scheduled for December 30. This mission aims to achieve the complex feat of docking two satellites in space, a capability mastered by only a few nations.

Announced by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, SpaDeX represents a significant milestone in India’s space programme. It is set to demonstrate advanced spacecraft docking technology using an indigenous system called the “Bharatiya Docking System.”

The SpaDeX mission will involve two satellites, referred to as the ‘Chaser’ and ‘Target,’ which will dock at an orbital altitude of 470 km. They will operate at speeds of 28,800 km/h, requiring precise manoeuvring to align and reduce relative velocities to just 0.036 km/h before docking. This process will result in the two satellites merging into a single unit, paving the way for advancements in satellite servicing, long-term missions, and space station development.

The project will utilise the PSLV-C60 rocket, launching from Sriharikota at 21:58 IST. ISRO’s ability to execute this intricate procedure will demonstrate India’s expertise in managing such advanced operations in the challenging conditions of space.

The mission will test key capabilities, including precision rendezvous, docking manoeuvres, power transfer between docked spacecraft, and scientific payload operation post-undocking. The satellites, each weighing approximately 220 kilograms, are expected to remain operational for two years, enabling further experiments and data collection.

Docking technology is essential for India’s ambitions in space exploration, such as lunar and interplanetary missions and the development of the Bharatiya Antriksh Station, India’s proposed space station. It is also a critical component for multi-launch missions and future human spaceflight initiatives like the Gaganyaan project.

The fourth stage of the PSLV rocket, known as POEM-4, will carry 24 payloads from academic institutions and startups. These experiments will leverage the microgravity environment to conduct research, adding another layer of scientific exploration to the mission.

If successful, SpaDeX will place India among the few nations—currently including the United States, Russia, and China—that have achieved satellite docking in space. The mission underscores ISRO’s commitment to pushing technological boundaries and strengthening India’s position in global space exploration. East Mojo