India successfully launched two satellites on Monday (December 30) in the country’s first space docking test flight, a mission aimed at demonstrating key technologies needed for the country to build its own space station and return lunar samples to Earth.
this Indian Space Research Organization Two small satellites for its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) will be launched on Monday on a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. It lifted off from the Indian Space Research Organization’s Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota at exactly 11:30 a.m. ET (10 p.m. IST, 1628 GMT).
“I am really happy to announce the successful launch of PSLV 60 for the SpaDeX mission,” ISRO Chairman S. Somanath said in a webcast shortly after the launch. “The rocket has put the satellite into the correct orbit.” He added that if all goes well, the first docking attempt may take place on January 7.
The SpaDeX task consists of two parts satellitea target and a chaser, on a mission to test autonomous docking technology in orbit. But ISRO hopes to do more than just test the autonomous docking device.
The mission also includes an auxiliary payload module with 24 different experiments, including a small robotic arm, mounted on the PSLV rocket’s fourth stage, independent of the SpaDeX satellite. Scientists hope to test the arm and other payloads after docking in a payload operations demonstration, while also testing dual-spacecraft control and power transfer between the docked spacecraft.
“This technology is useful for India’s space ambitions For example, Indians on the Moon, samples returned from moonconstruction and operation of India’s Antaliksh Station (BAS), etc.,” ISRO officials wrote in task overviewuse the official name India’s planned space station. “Space docking technology is critical when multiple rocket launches are required to achieve a common mission goal.”
Connecting technology is crucial ISRO’s plan Chandrayaan 4 A lunar mission designed to bring samples from the moon’s south pole back to Earth. The sample return vehicle must be docked in lunar orbit to transfer samples to the return capsule. The construction and operation of the space station also require independent docking capabilities ISRO develops manned space program.
The SpaDeX docking demonstration is expected to take place in early 2025, when the Target and Chaser spacecraft will fly into low earth orbit 290 miles (470 kilometers) from Earth. The two spacecraft, each weighing 485 pounds (220 kilograms), are expected to test rendezvous operations a little more than 12 miles (20 kilometers) apart, with the pursuit vehicle gradually closing in for the final docking over time.
“After successful docking and rigidization, the power transmission between the two satellite The demonstration will be conducted before the two satellites undock and separate to begin operating their respective payloads, with an expected mission life of up to two years, ISRO officials said in a mission overview.
ISRO officials wrote that the undocked payload is flying on SpaDeX on ISRO’s PS4 Orbital Experiment Module (POEM-4), “where the scientific community will conduct certain on-orbit microgravity experiments for a duration of up to Three months.” .
14 of the experiments were developed by ISRO officials and the remaining 10 were conducted for universities and commercial start-ups.
ISRO’s payloads include new technologies from the space agency such as a “walking robotic arm” that can move from head to tail like an inchworm, similar to CanadArm2 robotic arm At international space station. There is also a “Debris Capture Robotic Manipulator,” a robotic arm that will attempt to capture tethered “debris” during space debris cleanup tests. ISRO mission location is here.
ISRO’s SpaDex launch expected to be penultimate rocket launch 2024. Space Exploration Technologies Corporationthe last Falcon 9 launch is scheduled for December 31.
Editor’s note: This report was updated on December 30 to reflect the successful launch of India’s space docking experiment mission.