ISRO ignites new era with pioneering Space Docking Mission!
ISRO launched the PSLV-C60 rocket on Monday night, marking a crucial milestone in space exploration. The rocket carried several payloads, including the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), an ambitious mission to master orbital rendezvous and docking. Only a few nations have achieved this advanced capability.
The PSLV-C60 lifted off from Sriharikota at 10 p.m. The spacecraft reached an eastward orbit 476 km above Earth in just 910 seconds. In a choreographed sequence, SpaDeXB separated first, followed three seconds later by its twin, SpaDeXA.
ISRO Chief S. Somnath explained the next steps. “The satellites will separate further before initiating a controlled convergence. We expect docking by January 7,” he said. M. Sankaran, UR Rao Satellite Centre Director, detailed the precision involved. “By tomorrow evening, the satellites will drift 20 km apart. Afterward, one will act as the ‘chaser,’ using propulsion to close the gap.” He added that optimal solar alignment is necessary before reducing the distance over four days.
The satellites will then come within three meters of each other. At this stage, advanced algorithms will guide their final maneuvers, enabling docking through “capture, retraction, and rigidization.” This capability, if mastered, opens opportunities for in-orbit refueling, satellite repair, and space station assembly.
India aims to join the elite group of nations that have achieved autonomous docking. The Soviet Union demonstrated it first in 1967, followed by the U.S. in 1966 during the Gemini program. More recently, China, Japan, and the European Space Agency showcased similar achievements. India’s success would boost its space capabilities and pave the way for complex missions.
The SpaDeX satellites rely on laser range finders, rendezvous sensors, and proximity tools for navigation. One satellite acts as a chaser, while the other remains passive. ISRO also transformed the rocket’s fourth stage into POEM, a lab hosting 19 experiments, including space debris capture and plant growth studies in microgravity.
Private players like PierSight also participated. PierSight’s Varuna satellite demonstrated radar technology in a compact CubeSat format. CEO Gaurav Seth emphasized its importance, calling it a step toward a planned maritime surveillance constellation.
The mission highlights India’s growing expertise in space and its collaboration with private firms. If successful, SpaDeX will mark a new era in India’s space journey.
