ISRO's SpaDeX mission will test in-space docking technology with two small spacecraft, SDX01 and SDX02.
The PSLV-C60 rocket will launch the mission at 9:58 PM from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The mission will be streamed live on ISRO's YouTube channel starting at 10:00:15 PM tonight.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch its SpaDeX mission on Monday to experiment with the in-space docking technology for the first time. The mission will include two small spacecraft SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), which will be launched together in low Earth orbit at 9.58 PM from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The primary objective of the SpaDeX mission is to experiment with the technology needed for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of spacecraft. It will be helpful for the Moon, sample return from the Moon, and multiple rocket launches. If India succeeds, it will become the fourth country to have this capability.
According to ISRO, the spacecraft will be launched into a circular orbit at 470 km altitude by the PSLV-C60 rocket. After launch, the Target and Chaser spacecraft will drift apart. Using the Target’s propulsion system, the spacecraft will gradually reduce their separation before docking together. After docking, the spacecraft will demonstrate power transfer before undocking and continuing with their payload operations.
READ: iPhone 15 now available for under Rs 50,000 on Flipkart: Here’s how the deal works
It will also put new technologies to the test, such as the docking mechanism, autonomous rendezvous strategy, and an advanced sensor suite for precise navigation and control. According to ISRO, Chandrayaan-4 has the potential for great success. The SpaDeX mission will also carry several scientific payloads, including a high-resolution camera for Earth observation in Chaser and a multi-spectral imaging payload and radiation monitor for space science research in Target.
When and where to watch:
ISRO has stated that PSLV-C60 with SpaDeX and innovative payloads will lift off at 10:00:15 PM today. If you are interested in watching the liftoff live, you can move to ISRO’s YouTube channel and watch the entire process.
“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 spaceflight and satellite servicing missions,” ISRO stated on X.
Follow Us
Ashish Singh
Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. Previously, he worked as a Senior Sub-Editor with Jagran English from 2022, and has been a journalist since 2020, with experience at Times Internet. Ashish specializes in Technology. In his free time, you can find him exploring new gadgets, gaming, and discovering new places. View Full Profile
