New Delhi:

India will look forward to a heavenly handshake between its two satellites in the new year even as it sets its eyes on launching the most expensive earth observation spacecraft in alliance with NASA.

ISRO’s maiden satellite docking experiment (SpaDeX) is scheduled to take place on January 7, which is expected to propel India into a select group of nations having mastered this complex technology.

“This is certainly the first such mission with smaller satellites. We will scale it up with heavier satellites and this docking technology will help us in setting up the Bhartiya Antariksh Station and subsequent missions to it,” Jitendra Singh, Science and Technology Minister, told reporters here.

“ISRO’s SpaDeX mission marks the beginning of a new era in space exploration, showcasing India’s technological prowess and ambition. The ‘docking’ capability will enable future missions to accomplish unimaginable outcomes through transfer of payloads in space which will be a kind of a miracle and a testimony to ‘Viksit Bharat’,” Mr Singh said.

He said in the new year ISRO is set to launch the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, billed as the most expensive satellite of its kind, by March.

The new year will see the 100th launch from Sriharikota when the GSLV will launch the NVS-02 satellite for the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) services in January.

The first of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV), built by HAL-L&T industry consortium, will launch a technology demonstration satellite incorporating the high thrust electric propulsion system in the first quarter, which will be followed by a commercial mission of LVM3 for an international customer.

The first of the Gaganyaan uncrewed mission, comprising the Vyommitra robot, is also expected to be launched in the first quarter of the new year.

“We will have our human space flight – Gaganyaan – by the end of 2025 or early 2026,” Mr Singh said, adding that the mission depended on the success of the unmanned missions.

ISRO also plans to carry out a test of the Crew Escape System for the Gaganyaan mission before March.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)‘s PSLV-C60 / SPADEX Mission successfully lifts off from the Second launch-pad Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on Monday, December 30. 2024.
| Photo Credit: B. Velankanni Raj

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) on Tuesday (December 31, 2024) said that it facilitated the successful establishment and operationalisation of 10 hosted payloads from Non-Government Entities (NGEs) on board the POEM-4 module of the PSLV-C60/SPADEX mission.

The mission was launched by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on December 30.

“The mission that launched today, carried out in-orbit scientific experiments at an altitude of 350 km with a 55-degree inclination, utilizing the spent PS4 stage repurposed as the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM-4),” said IN-SPACe which is the autonomous nodal agency under Department of Space to promote NGE’s undertake space activities.

It can be recalled that POEM is an innovative platform that repurposes the fourth stage of the PSLV into an orbital experiment module after the primary mission. It conducts scientific and technological experiments in orbit. Equipped with essential capabilities like power supply, telemetry, and command support, POEM enables seamless operations for on board experiments. By leveraging existing infrastructure, it offers a cost-effective and rapid development approach for diverse research pursuits.

“The PSLV Orbital Experiment Module (POEM) is a practical solution deployed by ISRO that allows Indian start-ups, academic institutions, and research organizations to test their space technologies without the need to launch entire satellites. By making this platform accessible, we are reducing entry barriers and enabling a wider range of entities to contribute to the space sector. At IN-SPACe, our role is to create opportunities for such collaborations and ensure that India’s private sector can grow alongside advancements in space technology. Missions like these will be instrumental in capacity building by enabling NGEs to get their payloads space qualified, thus augmenting their future satellite launch missions,” Dr Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe said

In total 24 PS4-Orbital Experiment Module (POEM-4) payloads were deployed onboard the PSLV-C60 SpaDeX mission to support a wide array of scientific and technological endeavours.

Of these 10 payloads are from NGEs and they include the RV-SAT1 from RV Engineering College from Bengaluru whose mission objective is to study gut bacteria Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and prebiotic effects in microgravity and the APEMS payload from Amity University Maharashtra, Mumbai to study growth-related changes of plant callus in Spinacia oleracea under microgravity and natural gravity.

New Delhi:

There is a traffic jam in space! It has forced the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to postpone the launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) by two minutes. Earlier, the PSLV-C60 that would launch the SpaDeX mission or the Space Docking Experiment was to be launched at 9.58 pm, but now it has been pushed to 10 pm.

The launch has been postponed due to “conjunctions with other satellites in the same orbit”, Dr S Somanath, Chairman of ISRO, told NDTV.

This is not the first time ISRO has had to reschedule its launch due to congestion in the orbit and flight path of the rocket.

Experts at ISRO found that some satellites from the Starlink constellation were coming in the way. Today, there are about 7,000 Starlink satellites in the low Earth orbit. This is a constellation owned by American billionaire Elon Musk and his company SpaceX. Starlink provides satellite-based broadband internet connectivity across the world. Ultimately, the total number of Starlink satellites is expected to go up to about 12,000.

Also Read | ‘SpaDeX’ Mission: How ISRO Will Dock Two Satellites In Space

For long, scientists and engineers from many space agencies have been complaining that these massive constellations will cause traffic jams in space. On top of that, there is the presence of space debris in copious amounts that also poses a huge risk to satellites.

In 2023, India had to postpone the launch of its Chandrayaan-3 mission by a few minutes almost for the same reasons.

The SpaDeX Mission

The PSLV C-60 mission has innovation written all over it, with the rocket and the satellites integrated and tested for the very first time at a private entity, Ananth Technologies. At the Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, the rocket was also assembled in a new facility. Further, the space docking experiment is a big bold innovative step that will pave the way for its use in futuristic missions like Chandrayaan-4 and the making of the Bhartiya Antariksha Station.

In addition, the fourth stage of the PSLV which usually turns into space debris has been converted into an active un-crewed space laboratory. The last stage of the rocket has been re-purposed to become an orbital laboratory and from robotic experiments to growing cowpea seeds to testing green rocket fuel all will be tested on the PS4-Orbital Experiment Module, designated as POEM. It is carrying 24 experiments in space including taking three live biology experiments for the very first time by India.

India’s space program is set to achieve another milestone with the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) on its 62nd Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) mission. ISRO will attempt the docking and undocking of two satellites in orbit, a feat mastered only by Russia, the United States, and China.

This landmark mission, described as a “bold step” by ISRO Chairman Dr S Somanath, will use indigenous technology.

“When you have multiple objects in space that need to be brought together for a specific purpose, a mechanism called docking is required. Docking is the process by which two space objects come together and connect. This can be done using various approaches: soft mechanisms, hard mechanisms, or pressurized compartments for human transfer. For example, on the International Space Station, crew modules dock at the station, equalize pressure, and transfer people,” Dr Somanath told NDTV.

This capability is central to future ambitions, including India’s Bharatiya Antariksha Station (a proposed Indian space station), human spaceflight programs, and lunar sample return missions such as Chandrayaan-4.

During docking, there is a “target” object and a “chaser” object. The chaser follows the target, comes into proximity, and establishes a connection.

With the SpaDeX mission, India aims to join the exclusive club of nations capable of space docking.

“The success of this mission will position India as a major spacefaring nation, not just in launching satellites but in conducting complex space operations,” Dr Somanath said.

ISRO’s SpaDeX mission, launching with PSLV-C60, will demonstrate in-space docking using two small spacecraft.
| Photo Credit: ANI

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch its final mission for 2024 on December 30 with the PSLV C60/SPADEX Mission. The launch is scheduled at 9.58 p.m. from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

The space agency, for the first time, will be attempting the Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) mission which will demonstrate in-space docking using two small spacecraft.

According to ISRO, SPADEX is designed to develop and demonstrate the technology needed for spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking using two small satellites. “SPADEX will serve as a milestone in advancing India’s capabilities in space docking, a critical technology for future space missions, including satellite servicing, space station operations, and interplanetary missions,” the space agency said.

The demonstration of this technology is essential for futuristic missions such as sending an Indian astronaut on the Moon, sample return from the Moon, the building and operation of the Indian Space Station.

The PSLV-C60 will launch the two small spacecraft Chaser and Target also named SDX01 and SDX02 weighing about 220 kg each into a 470 km circular orbit at 55-degree inclination separately.

SDX02 spacecraft will be the first to separate 15 minutes after the launch followed by SDX01 spacecraft a few seconds later.

Incremental velocity

“The demonstrated precision of the PSLV vehicle will be utilised to give a small relative velocity between the Target and Chaser spacecraft at the time of separation from the launch vehicle. 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,” ISRO said.

ISRO added that 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,” it added.

The docking is expected to take place in the first week of January 2025.

Twenty-four PS4-Orbital Experiment Module (POEM-4) payloads will be flown onboard the PSLV-C60 SPADEX mission.

New Delhi:

India’s space program is set to achieve another milestone with the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) tomorrow 30 at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota. In its 62nd Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) mission, ISRO will attempt the docking and undocking of two satellites in orbit, a feat mastered only by Russia, the United States, and China.

This landmark mission, described as a “bold step” by ISRO Chairman Dr S Somanath, will use Indigenous technology

“When you have multiple objects in space that need to be brought together for a specific purpose, a mechanism called docking is required. Docking is the process by which two space objects come together and connect. This can be done using various approaches: soft mechanisms, hard mechanisms, or pressurised compartments for human transfer. For example, on the International Space Station, crew modules dock at the station, equalise pressure, and transfer people,” Dr Somanath told NDTV.

This capability is central to future ambitions, including India’s Bharatiya Antariksha Station (a proposed Indian space station), human spaceflight programs, and lunar sample return missions such as Chandrayaan-4.

During docking, there’s a “target” object and a “chaser” object. The chaser follows the target, comes into proximity, and establishes a connection.

“In the SpaDeX, we aim to replicate the technology needed for this process. First, there’s a mechanism to capture the object, pull it closer, and rigidise the connection. Second, sensors identify the target and the chaser and coordinate their movements to ensure precise, controlled docking without causing damage,” Dr Somanath said.

The SpaDeX mission will rely entirely on ‘swadeshi’ or Indigenous technology. ISRO has even patented its unique docking mechanism, a scaled-down version designed to fit the current mission’s objectives. SpaDeX will launch two small satellites aboard a PSLV rocket weighing 229 tons. These satellites will autonomously execute docking and undocking manoeuvres at an altitude of 475 kilometres.

India will be the fourth country, after Russia, the US, and China, to attempt this challenging process in low-Earth orbit.

“The SpaDeX mission demonstrates more than docking. Post-docking, the satellites can be separated to carry out independent tasks, such as remote sensing or scientific experiments. Additionally, the PSLV launch will include a payload experimental orbital module (POEM) to enable startups and researchers to test new technologies in space,” Dr Somanath told NDTV.

“Docking and undocking capabilities place India in an elite group of spacefaring nations. This experiment lays the groundwork for proximity operations like satellite repair, refuelling, debris removal, and more. SpaDex is an exciting step forward for ISRO, showcasing the team’s perseverance and expertise in pushing technological boundaries,” he added.

The SpaDeX mission is a stepping stone for Chandrayaan-4, but more advanced tests will be required. The current mission focuses on circular orbits, whereas lunar docking will occur in elliptical orbits under different conditions. The lessons from SpaDeX will also feed into India’s long-term goals of creating a self-sustaining space ecosystem, including human space exploration.

The docking process involves aligning two satellites moving at speeds of 7,800 meters per second. Despite their high velocity, the relative motion between them must be reduced to just centimetres or millimetres per second to ensure a safe connection. “The satellites’ approach velocity must be less than one centimetre per second to avoid collisions,” explained Dr Somanath.

The ISRO chief also explained the challenges of achieving such precision in the vacuum of space: “On Earth, we don’t have a zero-gravity environment to replicate the conditions of space, making ground testing extraordinarily difficult. This required us to develop innovative hardware and robotic test setups.”

With the SpaDeX mission, India aims to join the exclusive club of nations capable of space docking. “The success of this mission will position India as a major spacefaring nation, not just in launching satellites but in conducting complex space operations,” Dr Somanath remarked. 

New Delhi:

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is attempting to mate two satellites in the near vacuum of space, both of which would travel at a velocity ten times the speed of a bullet – a tough challenge to arrest two orbiting space assets and nudge them into a single spacecraft. It will take place under the ‘SpaDeX’ or Space Docking Experiment mission scheduled on December 30.

The mission is called ‘space docking’ and has been in the making for more than a decade in Bengaluru.

To date, only Russia, US, and China have mastered the complex technology and none share the intricacies of this process.

How ISRO will dock two satellites

The PSLV rocket will carry two specially designed satellites each weighing about 220 kg and then attempt docking and undocking at 470 kilometers above the Earth. The space agency will use a specially designed space docking mechanism called the ‘Bhartiya Docking System’ which meets the International Docking System Standard (IDSS) developed by NASA.

“India had to develop its own docking mechanism since no one shares the fine details of this hugely complex process,” ISRO Chairman Dr S Somanath told NDTV.

Interestingly, ISRO has already taken a patent on the Indian docking mechanism.

The two satellites will be travelling at a velocity of about 28,800 kilometers per hour or about 36 times the speed of a commercial airplane or ten times the velocity of a bullet in the near-Earth orbit. Using specially designed rockets and a suite of sensors the relative velocities of the satellites will be slowed down to almost zero or just about 0.036 kilometers per hour or to 10 millimeters per second and then they will be mated together.

Two independent spacecraft, ‘Chaser’ and ‘Target’, will be conjoined to become one entity in space.

“This sounds simple but to do this autonomously is a Herculean challenge as the physics involved is complex since both satellites have to remain in orbit and more importantly not crash into each other,” Dr Somanath said.

“Mastering docking is a necessary step if India has to send Chandryaan-4, build a space station, and then send an Indian to the moon…SpaDeX is one mission with many-many objectives, truly the fullest use of tax payer money to innovate and catapult India into the next league of space fairing nations,” he added.

According to ISRO, 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 the moon, sample return from the moon, and the building and operation of Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), among others. In-space docking technology is essential when multiple rocket launches are required to achieve common mission objectives.

The SpaDeX mission was conceived and designed by scientists at ISRO but the final assembly, integration, and testing of the satellite was done at Ananth Technologies – a Bengaluru-based space technology company started in 1992 by an ex-ISRO employee turned entrepreneur Dr Subba Rao Pavuluri.

“It was a bold move to let a private company undertake this complex job but they came out with flying colors,” Dr M Sankaran, Director, UR Rao Satellite Center, Bengaluru, said.

The Bhartiya Docking System is so sophisticated and more modern that in its current avatar, it uses only two motors compared to the 24 motors used in the IDSS. In its current format, it is only 450 millimeters in diameter but the final goal will be to develop an 800 millimeter-diameter docking port that will connect the Indian Gaganyaan Crew Module to the Bhartiya Antariksha Station.

The docking experiment is likely to be done by early in the New Year, Dr Sankaran said.

Through this mission, India is marching towards becoming the fourth country in the world to have space docking technology.