India achieved a significant milestone in its space exploration journey by launching its first space docking mission on Monday. The mission, named Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh state using the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) PSLV rocket.
After a successful liftoff, the spacecraft reached an altitude of approximately 470 kilometers, marking a crucial step towards India becoming the fourth country to master in-space docking technology. This achievement is expected to pave the way for future space endeavors, including satellite servicing and the operation of India's planned space station.
The SpaDeX mission involves deploying two small spacecraft into a 470-km circular orbit, showcasing the transfer of electric power between the docked spacecraft. This capability is essential for applications such as in-space robotics, composite spacecraft control, and payload operations following undocking.
Both satellites carry advanced payloads, including an imaging system and a radiation-monitoring device to measure radiation levels in space, providing valuable data for future human spaceflight missions.
ISRO Chairman S. Somanath highlighted that the actual testing of the docking technology is scheduled to take place in about a week, with a tentative date around January 7. A successful demonstration would position India alongside the United States, Russia, and China as one of the few countries to have developed and tested this advanced capability.
In a notable move, the rocket and satellites were integrated and tested at a private company, Ananth Technologies, showcasing a collaborative approach in India's space sector. The fourth stage of the PSLV has been repurposed into an active uncrewed space laboratory, known as the PSLV Orbital Experiment Module (POEM), enabling various experiments and reducing entry barriers for Indian start-ups and research organizations to test their space technologies.
This successful space docking mission not only demonstrates India's technological prowess but also opens up opportunities for ISRO to become a launch partner for global missions requiring docking facilities or assembly in space, further solidifying India's position in the global space arena.
