Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX): Set To Launch
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch its year-end mission, “Space Docking Experiment” (SpaDeX), today from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR in Sriharikota.
- The primary objective of the SpaDeX mission is to develop and demonstrate the technology needed for rendezvous, docking and undocking of two small spacecraft.
- It is for 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.
- Two small spacecraft- SDX01 (the Chaser) and SDX02 (the Target) will be docked in a 476-km low-Earth circular orbit.
Weight of two satellites: Approximately 220 kg each. - Launch Vehicle: PSLV- C60
- The indigenous technology used for this mission is called the “Bharatiya Docking System”.
- It will make India the fourth country after USA, Russia and China in the world to achieve the feat.
- SpaDEx mission is expected to be a stepping stone for India’s future endeavours in space exploration which include getting rocks and soil from the moon on Earth, the proposed Bharatiya Antariksha Station and landing an astronaut on the lunar surface.
