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The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is preparing with a milestone mission- SPADEX (Space Docking Experiment) by the end of 2024. Scheduled to launch from Sriharikota on December 30 at 9:58 pm, the mission will perform in-space docking using two small spacecraft deployed by a PSLV rocket. The success of SpaDeX is considered critical to India’s future space endeavours, including lunar sample return missions, the Indian Space Station (BAS), and crewed lunar missions.
The spacecraft for this mission has been developed at ISRO’s UR Rao Satellite Center in Bengaluru. Its director M. Sankaran provided information about the mission during an interview CNN-AyraNews24x7.
Paving the way for space docking
With the SpaDeX mission, India aims to join the elite group of countries with space docking capabilities. Explaining its importance, Sankaran commented, “Docking is basically bringing two independent objects together and joining them together and making them behave as if they are a single object. This is important for crewed missions to the Moon or other planets; “This is not possible to achieve without docking technology.”
He noted the economic benefits of developing docking technology, especially given ISRO’s comparatively small launch vehicle capacity. Unlike high-potential missions like NASA’s retired Saturn V rocket program, the agency’s approach minimizes costs while achieving ambitious goals.
How will SpaDeX work
SpaDeX will consist of two small spacecraft, Chaser and Target, which will be launched into the same orbit. These spacecraft will initially be separated by a significant distance, which will be gradually reduced through carefully controlled maneuvers.
Sankaran told news18: “From 20 km, we will bring the distance to 10 and 5 meters and allow it to dock. “The entire activity will happen in 10-15 days after the launch.”
The demonstration will also test essential sensors, algorithms and software required for future missions like Chandrayaan-4.
A successful SpaDeX demonstration would indicate India’s mastery of autonomous space docking, a crucial step for missions that lack GNSS support from Earth. Shankaran said, “Chandrayaan-4 has been designed in such a way that docking is an essential technology available to it. This performance will give us confidence.”
Furthermore, the docking technology will enable the assembly and operation of the Indian space station, where modules and supplies must be interconnected.
Economic feasibility and challenges
Known for cost-effective missions, ISRO has allocated Rs 125 crore for spacecraft and others 250 crores for the launch vehicle. However, challenges arose in developing a compact spacecraft.
Sankaran highlights the complexities: “The challenge of docking using a very small spacecraft is that the inertia of the spacecraft is very small. Even a small disturbance will take the satellite off course. The low mass and low inertia mean that a small force can disturb it,” as quoted by news18,
Despite these challenges, ISRO is confident of the success of Chandrayaan-3. Reflecting on the global recognition ISRO has received, Sankaran concluded, “The success of Chandrayaan-3 has made people look at ISRO and India with renewed interest. The potential of India and Indians will once again be showcased to the entire world.”
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