Space docking (Joining of two fast-moving satellites in space) was performed by using two small spacecraft i.e. SDX01 (Chaser), and SDX02(Target) of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission.
- The US, Russia, and China are the other three countries to perform space docking.
About SpaDex mission
- Background: SpaDeX and 24 PS4-Orbital Experiment Module (POEM-4) payloads were launched by ISRO via PSLV-C60 from the Sriharikota space centre in December 2024.
- Mission Goal:
- Develop and demonstrate technology for rendezvous and Autonomous docking using two small spacecraft (SDX01 and SDX02).
- Once docked, the mission will evaluate the combined system’s controllability. This includes maintaining stability, maneuvering the docked spacecraft as a single entity.
- Demonstrate the potential for extending the life of the target spacecraft.
- Test power transfer between docked spacecraft.
- Mission Life: Up to two years post-docking operations.
- Use of Indigenous technologies:
- Inter-satellite communication link (ISL) for autonomous communication between spacecraft.
- GNSS Based Novel Relative Orbit Determination and Propagation (RODP) processor: To determine relative position and velocity of other spacecraft.
- Other indigenous technologies developed for enabling this mission: Docking mechanism, Sensor Suite, autonomous rendezvous and docking strategy etc.
Significance of SpaDex mission
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