The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully completed the docking process of two satellites, Chaser and Target, in space on January 16, 2025. With this historic achievement, India has become the fourth country in the world to complete an unmanned docking process in space.
SpaDeX Mission: A Brief Description
Objective of the Mission
- The main objective of the SpaDeX mission (Space Docking Experiment) was to test the automated docking operations between two small satellites, Chaser and Target.
- This mission was designed to self-sufficiently demonstrate docking technology in low Earth orbit (LEO).
Launch and Mission Initiation
- The mission was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota with a PSLV-C60 rocket.
- At the time of launch, the relative velocity was given between the Chaser and Target spacecraft, so that their separation could take place safely.
Docking Process
- During the mission, the distance between the chaser and the target decreased from 5 km to 3 m.
- At the end of this process, successful docking operation was completed between the two satellites.
Technological Significance
- This mission tested important technological capability in the field of automated docking operations, which will be helpful in future space missions.
- This mission demonstrates the capability of cooperation and operation between different spacecraft in space.
Mission Life: Up to two years after docking operations
Use of Indigenous Technologies
- Inter-satellite Communication Link (ISL): For autonomous communication between spacecraft.
- GNSS based Innovative Relative Orbit Determination and Dissemination (RODP) Processor: For determining the relative position and velocity of other spacecraft.
Other Indigenous Technologies
- Docking Mechanism
- Sensor Suite
- Autonomous Rendezvous and Docking Strategy etc.
Space Docking
- According to NASA, docking is defined as a “rendezvous operation in which an active vehicle enters the rendezvous interface on its own power.
Space Docking Process
- Space docking is a process in which a spacecraft automatically maneuvers itself to connect with another space object.
- In this process, the spacecraft connects with another spacecraft or object in orbit using its internal systems.
Significance of SpaDex Mission
- Essential for India’s space goals: such as sample return from the Moon, establishment of Indian Space Station (BAS) etc.
- Satellite servicing and maintenance: Facilitates servicing and refueling of satellites through docking, thereby increasing their operational life
- Support future space missions: This application is helpful when multiple rocket launches are required to achieve a common mission objective.
- Other significance: Helpful in future applications such as space robotics, natural resource monitoring, and vegetation studies.