SRIHARIKOTA, Dec 31: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced the successful separation of two spacecraft designed to demonstrate crucial space docking technology for future missions late Monday. “The PSLV C60 mission has been accomplished with the SpaDeX spacecraft,” stated Mission Director M Jayakumar.
ISRO Chairman S Somanath confirmed that the rocket had successfully placed the satellites into a circular orbit at 475 km, following over 15 minutes of flight.
“The spacecraft are now in the correct orbit, and the SpaDeX satellites will gradually separate, moving about 20 km apart before initiating the rendezvous and docking process,” he explained. He anticipated that this docking could occur in approximately one week, around January 7, as shared during his address from the Mission Control Centre.
A key focus of this mission is the POEM-4, which includes 24 payloads from various sectors including startups, industry, academia, and ISRO centers, he noted. These payloads are expected to be activated on Tuesday morning, with scientists working through the night to ensure the POEM-4 reaches the necessary orbital position for operations, according to Somanath.
Later, while addressing the media at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Somanath highlighted that the PSLV-C60 mission had successfully placed two SpaDeX satellites, each weighing 220kg, into a circular orbit at 475 km, surpassing the intended 470 km. He also mentioned that POEM-4 carries 24 payloads aimed at research and development.
“These payloads are not satellites; they will be attached to the fourth stage of the PSLV rocket for experimental purposes over the next two months. The upper stage of the PSLV rocket will descend to a lower orbit of 350 km, a process which is currently underway. Following that, numerous activities will continue,” Somanath, who is also the Secretary of the Department of Space, stated.
Discussing the Space Docking Experiment, he mentioned that operations will commence on December 31 at ISTRAC in Bengaluru, with hopes for docking conditions to be established around January 7.
“These activities will be observed from the Control Centre in ISTRAC, Bengaluru, including live telecasting of onboard images during the docking process,” he added.
Somanath, accompanied by SpaDeX Project Director N Surendran, Mission Director M Jayakumar, and various Centre Directors, expressed ISRO’s pride in this accomplishment and optimism regarding achieving the SpaDeX mission’s objectives in the near future.
“This mission is vital as we advance towards a reformed space sector, expanding our activities, including human spaceflight programs and plans for building space stations. The success of this mission is crucial for our future plans, including Chandrayaan-4 and other lunar missions,” he stated.
“I foresee that this is just the beginning for SpaDeX, with many more iterations and complex docking systems to follow in the future,” he affirmed.
Mission Director M Jayakumar congratulated the ISRO team for taking exciting strides into the realm of space docking and emphasized the significance of the POEM-4 mission, which includes intriguing experiments like debris capture and biological studies.
“We achieved two PSLV launches from the same pad within December, demonstrating agility after the first launch on December 5 for the PSLV-C59/Proba-3 mission,” he remarked.
Surendran added, “I extend my congratulations to the PSLV team for notably achieving consecutive successful launches within a month. We have accurately positioned our dual spacecraft into a perfectly circular orbit as per our specifications.
“I am pleased to report that the solar panels have been successfully deployed, and the spacecraft are en route, aligning their trajectories for docking expected in the first week of January,” he concluded.
With the current transformation in the space sector allowing for greater participation from private players, the SpaDeX project was assembled and integrated here for the first time, he mentioned.
This mission, seen as a precursor to ISRO’s plan to establish its own Space Station by 2035, will also cement India’s place in an elite group of nations achieving space docking technology, expected to be demonstrated in the coming days.
The 44.5-meter-tall rocket launched two spacecraft—Spacecraft A and B—each weighing 220 kg, which are instrumental for space docking, satellite servicing, and interplanetary missions.
Following a 25-hour countdown that began on Sunday, the rocket lifted off at 10 PM from the First Launch Pad, producing thick orange smoke and a thunderous roar detectable 135 km east of Chennai.
According to ISRO scientists, the two spacecraft—Spacecraft A (SDX01), the ‘Chaser’, and Spacecraft B (SDX02), the ‘Target’—are set to merge at an altitude of about 470 km after matching speeds and distances.
By mastering docking technologies, ISRO aims to enhance its operational capabilities and extend its mission objectives.
This technology is crucial for India’s ambitious space goals, such as a lunar mission, obtaining lunar samples (Chandrayaan-4), and establishing the Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
“In-space docking technology is vital for carrying out multiple rocket launches to achieve collective mission goals. Through this mission, India moves closer to being the fourth nation globally to possess space docking technology,” ISRO confirmed.
The other nations that have achieved this milestone are China, Russia, and the US.
(Agencies)
