CHENNAI, Dec 22 : The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to script history
by deploying as many as 24 scientific experiments into space aboard the PSLV Orbital Experiment
Module-4 (POEM-4) under the PSLV-C60 space docking demonstration SpaDeX mission, which is
likely to take place on December 30.
SpaDeX Mission is to demonstrate the first ever technology needed for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft (SDX01, which is the Chaser, and SDX02, the Target, nominally) and they would be launched in a low-Earth circular orbit.
ISRO is likely to use the XL version of its workhorse and reliable launch vehicle PSLV and the take
off is scheduled from the First Launch Pad, with the launch window available till second week of January.
“The launch vehicle has been integrated and now moved to the First Launch Pad, for further integration of satellites and launch preparations”, the Space Agency said in a social media post.
In a PSLV-C60/SPADEX Mission update on X, ISRO said PS4-Orbital Experiment Module (POEM) revolutionizes space tech!”
“With 24 cutting-edge R&D payloads (14 from ISRO, 10 from academia/startups), it pushes boundaries in biological experiments, robotics, SAR imaging, AI labs, & more. A giant leap for science & innovation”, it said.
SpaDeX mission is a cost-effective technology demonstrator mission for the demonstration of in-space docking using two small spacecraft launched by PSLV.
This technology is essential for India’s space ambitions such as Indian on Moon, sample return from the Moon, the building and operation of Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), etc.
In-space docking technology is essential when multiple rocket launches are required to achieve common mission objectives. Through this mission, India is marching towards becoming the fourth country in the world to have space docking technology.
The primary objective of the SpaDeX mission is to develop and demonstrate the technology needed for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft (SDX01, which is the Chaser, and SDX02, the Target, nominally) in a low-Earth circular orbit.
Its secondary objectives included demonstration of the transfer of electric power between the docked spacecraft, which is essential for future applications such as in-space robotics, Composite spacecraft control, and Payload operations after undocking.
The SpaDeX mission consists of two small spacecraft (about 220 kg each) to be launched by
PSLV-C60, independently and simultaneously, into a 470 km circular orbit with an inclination
of 55 degrees with a local time cycle of about 66 days.
The demonstrated precision of the PSLV vehicle will be utilized to give a small relative velocity between the Target and Chaser spacecraft at the time of separation from the launch vehicle.
It said this incremental velocity will allow the Target spacecraft to build a 10-20 km inter-satellite separation with respect to the Chaser within a day.
At this point, the relative velocity between the Target will be compensated using the propulsion system of the Target spacecraft.
At the end of this drift arrest maneuver, the Target and Chaser will be in the same orbit with
identical velocity but separated by about 20 km, known as Far Rendezvous.
With a similar strategy of introducing and then compensating for a small relative velocity between
the two spacecraft, the Chaser will approach the Target with progressively reduced inter-satellite distances of 5 km, 1.5 km, 500 m, 225 m, 15 m, and 3 m, ultimately leading to the docking of the
two spacecraft.
After successful docking and rigidization, electrical power transfer between the two satellites will
be demonstrated before undocking and separation of the two satellites to start the operation of
their respective payloads for the expected mission life of up to two years.
(UNI)
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