India Launches Space Docking Experiment with PSLV Rocket, Advancing Major Ambitions
By Andrew Jones | Published December 30, 2024
India successfully launched a spacecraft on December 30, 2024, designed to test docking technologies crucial to the country's major space ambitions. A Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) lifted off at 11:30 a.m. Eastern (1630 UTC; 10 p.m. local time) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, with the rocket climbing into the night sky.
The PSLV-C60 rocket carried the primary payload in the form of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) as well as 24 different experiments aboard the POEM-4 secondary payload module. Of the latter, 14 are Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and institutional payloads and 10 further payloads from non-government entities. These include a walking robotic arm, a debris capture robotic manipulator, a compact plant research module, and a range of sensors.
Significance of the SpaDeX Mission
SpaDeX is a mission by ISRO aimed at demonstrating on-orbit docking technology using two small spacecraft. This capability is crucial for India’s future space endeavors including lunar sample return missions and the development of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS).
ISRO chairman S. Somanath congratulated the rocket and spacecraft teams in comments following the successful separation of the two SpaDeX spacecraft:
“I’m really happy to announce the successful accomplishment of the launch of PSLV-C60 for the SpaDeX mission. Nominal time for docking of the two spacecraft is Jan. 7,” S. Somanath said. “Successful deployment of solar arrays on the two spacecraft has also been confirmed.”
Technical Aspects of SpaDeX
SpaDeX includes two 220-kilogram spacecraft: SDX01, the chaser spacecraft, and SDX02, the target. The pair were placed into their intended 475-kilometer circular orbits with a 55-degree inclination. The mission includes an indigenous, low-impact docking system with an approach velocity of about 10 millimeters per second, as well as a Laser Range Finder (LRF), Corner Cube Retro Reflectors, and other advanced sensors to facilitate precise docking maneuvers.
| Component | Description | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Vehicle | PSLV-C60 | Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle |
| Primary Payload | SpaDeX | Testing of docking technologies |
| Weight | 220 kg | Per spacecraft |
| Orbit | Circular | 475 km altitude |
| Inclination | 55 degrees | Orbit inclination angle |
Future Aspirations
The mission is part of India’s efforts to become the fourth country to develop independent human spaceflight capabilities. The Gaganyaan program, with its first crewed flight currently planned for 2026, is a significant milestone in this direction. Uncrewed test flights are scheduled for 2025.
The docking technology will also be needed for India’s Chandrayaan-4 lunar south pole sampling mission, expected to launch around 2027 or 2028. Docking will be required to get samples collected from the surface from an ascent vehicle and into a service module capable of returning to Earth.
Recent Launches Overview
The launch of SpaDeX and POEM-4 was India’s fifth orbital launch of 2024. Previous missions included:
| Mission | Date | Payload |
|---|---|---|
| XPoSat | January 2024 | X-ray astronomy satellite |
| INSAT-3DS | February 2024 | Meteorological satellite |
| EOS-08 | September 2024 | Earth observation satellite |
| Proba-3 | December 2024 | Mission for the European Space Agency |
| SpaDeX | December 30, 2024 | Testing of docking technology |
As India advances its capabilities in space technology, the successful launch and operation of the SpaDeX mission is a vital step towards achieving long-term strategic goals.
For more information, make sure to check out the latest updates on SpaceNews.
References
[1] SpaceNews - India launches space docking experiment with PSLV rocket, advancing major ambitions
[2] ISRO - SpaDeX Mission Details
