India has finally made history with a significant space-related milestone with the launch of Space Docking Experiment SpaDeX. It took place on December 30, 2024, at 10:00 IST at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. If everything works out, this mission would turn India into the fourth nation in the world that achieved the difficult art of making spacecraft dock in space beside the United States, Russia, and China.
What is Launch of Space Docking Experiment SpaDeX
The SpaDeX mission is short for Space Docking Experiment, which involves docking two satellites in a low Earth orbit, interlocking and carrying out pressure checks, and eventually undocking from one another. This critical accomplishment may go a long way for the future Indian ambitions like putting up its own space station Bharatiya Antriksh Station by 2035.
The two spacecraft involved are SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), weighing 220 kg each. Their objective is to have the Chaser rendezvous and dock with the Target while orbiting Earth at high speeds. This complex maneuver is similar to what is portrayed in the sci-fi movie Interstellar, showing the precision needed for docking.
Mission Objectives
SpaDeX is a proving ground for advanced technologies that are essential for space exploration. Some of its key objectives include:
- Demonstration of rendezvous, docking, and undocking maneuvers.
- Testing of electrical power transfer between docked spacecraft-an essential requirement for in-space robotics.
- Perfecting composite spacecraft control from mission control in Bengaluru.
- Conducting post-undocking payload operations.
This mission is a crucial step towards enhancing India’s Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) capabilities and developing technology for assembling modular structures in orbit.
Launch Details
The satellites will be carried aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C60 rocket which will put them into a 475 km circular orbit with an inclination of 55 degrees. The satellites are programmed to separate by 20 kilometers over a period of 24 hours before the attempt of docking and undocking takes place in early January 2025.
The Role of POEM-4
In parallel with SpaceX, ISRO will host experiments under its POEM-4 (PSLV Orbital Experimental Module) program. The spent rocket stage will carry 24 payloads, including a robotic arm designed to capture tethered debris. This is yet another effort of India to use space debris for extended scientific experiments.
A Leap Toward the Stars
If successful, SpaDeX will not only boost India’s space program but also set the stage for future lunar missions like Chandrayaan-4. It will also speed up progress toward India’s goal of setting up a space station, making India a key player in global space exploration.