ISRO To Launch Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) Mission

On Monday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is likely to launch its year-end mission, the ‘Space Docking Experiment’ (SpaDeX), on 30 December, at precisely 10:00:15 PM from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

Taking to X, ISRO posted, “Tonight at precisely 10:00:15 PM, PSLV-C60 with SpaDeX and innovative payloads are set for liftoff. SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) is a pioneering mission to establish India’s capability in orbital docking, a key technology for future human spaceflight and satellite servicing missions. Liftoff: 30 Dec, 10:00:15 PM (22:00:15 hours).

The primary goal of SpaDeX is to develop and demonstrate technology for the rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft, named SDX01 (the Chaser) and SDX02 (the Target), in low-Earth circular orbit.

ISRO’s SpaDeX: Precision Rendezvous & Docking For Future Lunar Exploration

In a statement, ISRO stated, “In addition, SpaDeX, because of its small size and mass, is even more challenging due to the finer precision required for the rendezvous and docking maneuvers compared to docking two large spacecraft. This mission will be a forerunner for autonomous docking needed for future lunar missions like Chandrayaan-4 without the support of GNSS from Earth.”

Both SpaDeX spacecraft, like all ISRO satellites in low-Earth orbit, use a differential GNSS-based Satellite Positioning System (SPS) to provide Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions.

“SpaDeX includes a novel RODP processor in the SPS receiver, enabling precise determination of the relative position and velocity between the Chaser and the Target. By subtracting the carrier phase measurements from the same GNSS satellites in both the Chaser and Target SPS receivers, the system accurately calculates the relative states of the two satellites. The VHF/UHF transceivers in both satellites aid this process by transferring the GNSS satellite measurements from one satellite to the other. Hardware and software test beds, including closed-loop verifications, carried out to characterize the RODP performance,” the statement added.

ISRO’s UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), with support from various ISRO centers, developed the spacecraft for the mission. Once in orbit, ISTRAC will control the spacecraft, using ISRO ground stations and additional external ground stations.

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