The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday launched its ambitious Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) onboard a PSLV-C60 rocket from the first launch pad at Sriharikota on Monday. The lift-off, initially scheduled for 9:58 pm, was rescheduled to 10 pm without specifying the reason for the delay. The experiment involves sending a spinach callus to space to study how plants behave in microgravity.
Primary SpaDeX spacecraft A and B, onboard PSLV-C60 successfully separated, ISRO informed.
The SpaDeX mission, hailed as a key milestone in India’s space programme, aims to establish the country’s capability in orbital docking, a critical technology for human spaceflight, satellite servicing, and future missions such as the Gaganyaan programme and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
VIDEO | PSLV-C60 Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
A cost-effective technology demonstrator mission for in-space docking, it makes India join an elite list featuring China, Russia and the US. pic.twitter.com/5JQ9KjgaVH
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 30, 2024
The mission involves docking two satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), each weighing approximately 220 kilograms, at an altitude of 470 km above Earth. These satellites, placed 5 km apart initially, will be manoeuvred to a separation of just 3 metres before merging to form a single unit. This intricate process will be attempted 10-14 days after the lift-off.
🎉 Launch Day is Here! 🚀
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
— ISRO (@isro) December 30, 2024
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Union MoS Jitendra Singh Details Complexity Of SpaDeX
Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, on Saturday spoke about the mission. “ISRO’s year-end mission is going to be a historic one as it will seek the rare feat of docking or merging or joining together two satellites in space,” he said, as quoted by news agency IANS. He added that the indigenous technology for this mission is named the “Bharatiya Docking System”.
The Union MoS highlighted the mission’s complexity, stating, “ISRO will attempt to dock two satellites orbiting at speeds of 28,800 km/h, reducing their relative velocities to a mere 0.036 km/h.” The experiment also includes validating power transfer between docked spacecraft and operating payloads post-undocking, with the satellites expected to have a two-year operational lifespan.
SpaDeX’s primary payloads include a high-resolution camera on SDX01 and a miniature multispectral payload along with a radiation monitor on SDX02. These will support applications such as resource monitoring and vegetation studies.
In addition to SpaDeX, ISRO will also conduct the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-4 (POEM-4) experiment, featuring 24 payloads from ISRO, industry, and academia. These payloads, utilising the PSLV’s fourth stage, will remain operational for three to four months, exploring the microgravity environment in orbit.
Former DRDO scientist and Director General for Amity Directorate of Science and Innovation, Dr W Selvamurthy, informed about ISRO’s launch featuring the first biological payload in orbit, “Today, ISRO is launching the PSLV C-60 rocket with satellites as part of a very important space mission. The first biological payload in this mission is being sent by Amity University, Mumbai. The mission aims to explore providing fresh food to astronauts in space to meet their nutritional needs.”
“The experiment involves sending a spinach callus to space to study how plants behave in microgravity, focusing on growth and plant physiology. This research will help identify challenges in growing vegetables in space,” he added.
VIDEO | Here’s what former DRDO scientist and Director General for Amity Directorate of Science and Innovation, Dr W Selvamurthy, said on ISRO’s launch featuring first biological payload in orbit.
“Today, ISRO is launching the PSLV C-60 rocket with satellites as part of a very… pic.twitter.com/qcAPvtaAOG
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 30, 2024
Once successful, India will join an elite group of nations—the US, Russia, and China—that have mastered in-space docking technology. “SpaDEX will mark a milestone, showcasing India’s expertise in spacecraft docking technology,” Jitendra Singh had noted, emphasising its importance for future missions, including Chandrayaan-4 and the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission slated for 2026.
The PSLV-C60 mission, ISRO’s last for 2024, also represents a technological leap as the first vehicle integrated up to the fourth stage at the newly established PSLV Integration Facility.
