India is set to take a major leap in Space missions with the launch of SpaDeX on December 30, 2024. SpaDeX, which stands for Space Docking Experiment is scheduled to take off on December 30, 2024 at 9:58 p.m. The launch will take place from Sriharikota aboard the PSLV-C60 rocket.
The mission is of key significance as it will demonstrate India’s in space docking capabilities. A technology critical for India’s ambitious future space missions and endeavours. It will enable future space mission like bringing back a lunar samples and will play a key role in Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
Above all with the success of this mission, India will become fourth nation in the world to have space docking capabilities.
SpaDeX- Objectives..
According to ISRO, the main objective of the mission is to demonstrate a cost effective docking and undocking technology. Docking basically refers to the process wherein two satellites are joined aligned in space. In this mission, two small spacecrafts (SDX01, which is the Chaser, and SDX02, the Target) will be docked and undocked in the low-earth orbit.
Apart from this, it will also achieve secondary objectives like-
- Demonstration of electric power transfer between the docked spacecraft,
- Composite spacecraft control, and
- Payload operations after undocking.
Under this mission, two small spacecrafts each weighing 220 kg each will be launched on PSLV-C60. They will be launched independently and simultaneously into a 470 Km orbit at an inclination of 55 degree. There both these target and chaser spacecrafts will demonstrate the docking and undocking technology. Once docked the mission will also demonstrate power transfer between these spacecrafts.
Significance
The SpaDeX mission and its success is a stepping stone for India’s space programmes and missions. With the success of this mission, India will be not only enter the elite group of countries which have developed this technology, but will also be able to march with greater speed towards its other ambitious space exploratory programmes. Currently only three countries in the world have mastered this technology-US, Russia, and China. With the success of this mission, India will enter this elite group.
Furthermore, it will showcase India’s growing space expertise and capabilities in developing sophisticated space technologies. The mission will also unlock new avenues in space research and will pave way for missions like Chandrayaan-4 and Gaganyaan. It will also establish India as a key player in space exploration.