Jobaaj Stories
On Monday, December 30, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is launching its Space Docking Experiment, also known as SpaDeX, aboard a PSLV rocket. The mission is scheduled to lift off at 10:00 pm, two minutes later than the original time of 9:58 pm. This pioneering experiment will help India develop in-space docking technology, which is crucial for future space missions, including sending humans to the Moon and building a space station.
ISRO has stated that SpaDeX aims to prove India’s ability to perform orbital docking, a technology used to connect two spacecraft in space. This capability is important for human space flights, satellite servicing, and space exploration. If successful, India will join an exclusive group of countries—China, Russia, and the United States—that have mastered this technology.
🎉 Launch Day is Here! 🚀
— ISRO (@isro) December 30, 2024
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… pic.twitter.com/147ywcLP0f
The SpaDeX mission will launch from the first launch pad and carry two spacecraft, SDX01 and SDX02, as the main payloads. These spacecraft will be placed in an orbit about 5 km apart. Over the next 10-14 days, ISRO scientists will work to bring the spacecraft closer together until they are just 3 meters apart, eventually leading to a docking process about 470 km above Earth.
The two spacecraft will also carry special equipment. Spacecraft A (SDX01) has a high-resolution camera, and Spacecraft B (SDX02) contains a miniature multispectral payload and a radiation monitor. These instruments will help scientists study natural resources, vegetation, and other important data from space.
The successful demonstration of this docking technology would be a big step forward for India’s space ambitions, including the future Bharatiya Antariksh Station, India’s planned space station. The SpaDeX mission is also seen as a cost-effective way to test and develop this important technology.
