Bengaluru9 minutes ago
The docking of the Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) was first postponed to January 7 and then to January 9.
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on Sunday conducted a successful trial of the Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX). ISRO kept the distance between two space satellites first at 15 meters, then at 3 meters. After this both the satellites were taken back to a safe distance.
ISRO said, data analysis of the docking trial is being done. After this the further process will be completed. In fact, the docking of the Spacex mission has been postponed twice. Docking was to be done first on January 7 and then on January 9.
ISRO had launched SpaDeX i.e. Space Docking Experiment Mission on December 30 at 10 pm from Sriharikota. Under this, two spacecraft were deployed 470 km above the earth with PSLV-C60 rocket.
If the mission is further successful, India will become the fourth country to do so after Russia, America and China. India’s Chandrayaan-4 mission depends on the success of the mission, in which samples of lunar soil will be brought to Earth. Chandrayaan-4 mission can be launched in 2028.
2 pictures of SPADEX docking trial…
This picture was taken from the camera installed in the satellite. When both the satellites were just 15 meters away from each other.
After coming closer to 15 meters and then 3 meters, the satellite was taken back to a safe distance.
Spacex Mission Objective: To showcase docking and undocking technology to the world
- To demonstrate the technology of docking and undocking of two small spacecraft in low Earth orbit.
- To demonstrate the technology to transfer electric power between two docked spacecraft.
- Space docking means joining or connecting two spacecraft in space.
ISRO had shared an animated video of the docking.
Spadex Mission Process: Know how both satellites came closer
On December 30, two small spacecraft, Target and Chaser, were launched into different orbits at an altitude of 470 km by a PSLV-C60 rocket.
After deployment, both spacecraft went into space at a speed of about 28,800 kilometers per hour. This speed was 10 times more than the speed of the bullet.
There was no direct communication link between the two spacecraft. These were guided from the ground. Both spacecraft were brought close to each other.
Laser range finders were used to determine distances between 5 km and 0.25 km. Docking camera will be used for the range of 300 meters to 1 meter. The visual camera will be used at a distance of 1 meter to 0 meter.
After successful docking, electrical power transfer between the two spacecraft will be demonstrated. Then there will be undocking of the spacecrafts and both of them will start the operation of their respective payloads. This will continue to provide valuable data for about two years.
Camera in Spacecraft A and two payloads in Spacecraft B. For the standalone mission phase after docking experiments, Spacecraft A carries a High Resolution Camera (HRC). Spacecraft B carries two payloads – the Miniature Multispectral (MMX) payload and the Radiation Monitor (RadMon). These payloads will provide high resolution images, natural resource monitoring, vegetation studies and onorbit radiation environment measurements which have many applications.
Both Spadex satellites have been built by Anant Technologies Limited (ATL) under the guidance of ISRO engineers. M Sankaran, Director of UR Rao Satellite Centre, had said that till now a big satellite had never been made alone in the industry. This is the first time that two satellites have been integrated. It is expected that in the coming days we will launch more such satellites, which are made in the industry itself.
Why mission is necessary: The success of missions like Chandrayaan-4 depends on this
- The technology will be used in Chandrayaan-4 mission in which samples from the Moon will be brought back to Earth.
- Docking technology will also be required to build a space station and then to travel there.
- This technology is also necessary for the Gaganyaan mission in which humans will be sent into space.
- This technology is necessary for satellite servicing, interplanetary missions and sending humans to the moon.
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