Launch: PSLV-XL C60 - First Space Docking & Recovery Experiment (SPADEX-1) x 2 (SDX-01 Chaser & SDX-02 Target) - 30 December 2024

[Indx TechStyle]

Google translate from Eenadu, launch date has been shifted to 24 December from 20 December.

వచ్చే నెలలో రెండు రాకెట్‌ ప్రయోగాలు

తిరుపతి జిల్లా శ్రీహరికోటలోని సతీశ్‌ ధవన్‌ స్పేస్‌ సెంటర్‌ (షార్‌) నుంచి వచ్చే నెలలో రెండు పీఎస్‌ఎల్‌వీ ప్రయోగాలు చేపట్టేందుకు ఇస్రో శాస్త్రవేత్తలు సన్నాహాలు చేస్తున్నారు.

www.eenadu.net

1. 5th and final orbital launch from SDSC in 2024.
2. First of India's in-orbit rendezvous docking experiments.
3. Includes connecting/assembling two spacecraft in orbit.
4. Has utilities in: Chandryaan-4 sample return mission in 2029, in-orbit spacecraft refueling, making Indian Orbital space station in 2030s and so forth for future missions.

I will lock this thread after launch Outcome is declared to continue discussion on topic on main thread.

Thread 'ISRO's Rendezvous, Space docking and Berthing Experiment'

Oct 18, 2024

View: https://x.com/sdhrthmp/status/1847179739774988317

• FalconSlayers
• Replies: 16
• Forum: Science & Space

• 

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Launch date revised to 26 December now.

ISRO may test space docking on December 26

CHENNAI: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is likely to conduct the much-awaited Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) on December 26, sources said on T

www.newindianexpress.com

That effectively postpones both PSLV/TDS-01 and GSLV/NVS-02 to January 2025.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

NOTAM issued for 30 December 2024.

Mission most likely scheduled for 30 December instead of 24 December now.

 

[FalconSlayers]

View: https://x.com/isro/status/1870407942060527960?t=-AzNb2kCPS82Vvpp47NjHg&s=19

 

[VictorDelta4]

View: https://x.com/isro/status/1870428296413958379

 

[Anonymous Bharata]

For the first time ISRO will be flying 3 biological payloads into space onboard C60, this will be a precursor to BAS

ISRO Drafts Its First 'POEM' To Study How Life Works In Space

India for the very first time is flying biological experiments into space using a homegrown rocket. The next launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) will see not one, but three biological experiments rocketed into space.

www.ndtv.com

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Spacecraft name in title. Quoting the mission summary here.
The SpaDeX mission consists of two small spacecraft (about 220 kg each) to be launched by PSLV-C60, independently and simultaneously, into a 470 km circular orbit at 55° inclination, with a local time cycle of about 66 days. The demonstrated precision of the PSLV vehicle will be utilized 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.

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. After successful docking and rigidization, electrical power transfer between the two satellites will be demonstrated before undocking and separation of the two satellites to start the operation of their respective payloads for the expected mission life of up to two years.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

For applications after experiment, both spacecraft have a 2 years life.

SDX-01 is an optical earth imaging satellite like cartosat and SDX-02 for resource imaging and making radiation studies & database in outer space for use in Indian Human Space Missions.