Disclaimer: Copyright infringement is not intended.

Context:

Ananth Technologies based in Hyderabad handed over two 400 kg class satellites to the Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO), which will be part of the Space Docking Experiment planned by ISRO.

Space Docking Experiment(SPADEX)

Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) is a mission being developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to develop and mature technologies related to orbital rendezvous, docking, formation flying, and proximity operations.
It was initiated in 2016 and cleared by the Government of India in 2017 with initial funding of ₹10 crore.
An additional funding of ₹124.47 crore was sanctioned by July 2022 by the Union Cabinet.

Testing and Launch Preparations

Satellite Assembly and Integration have been completed by Ananth Technologies Limited and the testing process will be completed by November 2024.

It will be launched by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C60) in mid-December 2024 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

Mission Details

Satellites Involved: Two IMS class-2 satellites of 200 kg each will be involved in the mission. One satellite will act as the Chaser and the other as the Target.

Launch Configuration: Both satellites will be launched as co-passengers or auxiliary payloads to the main satellite.

Orbit: Two satellites will be placed in two slightly different orbits.

Objectives

Its primary objectives are to ensure Orbital rendezvous, space docking, formation flying, and docking technology for space station missions, and the Chandrayaan-4 mission.

The mission will be useful for future Indian space stations (Bhartiya Antariksha Station), Gaganyaan spaceflight missions and Chandrayaan-4, which is lunar sample retrieval.

Orbital rendezvous

Space rendezvous is a set of orbital maneuvers when two spacecraft( Most often one is a space station), arrive at one orbit and approach at near distance or within visual contact.

The process requires a precise calculation and match of the orbital velocities and position vectors of both the spacecraft. This allows them to be at a constant distance.

Space docking

Docking or berthing are procedures to bring the spacecraft into physical contact to create a link between them.

Two spacecraft physically joined after meeting at a predetermined location, speed, and time.

Formation flying

It is a set of techniques which involves coordinating the motion of two or many satellites to achieve a common goal.

Significance of SPADEX

It will be a stepping Stone for Future Missions of ISRO such as Indian space station missions and Chandrayaan-4 lunar sample return mission.

It is also critical for the success of future human spaceflight and satellite servicing missions of ISRO.

Must red articles

Indian space station (Bhartiya Antariksha Station),

Gaganyaan spaceflight missions

Chandrayaan-4

Sources:

BUSINESS STANDARD

WIKIPEDIA

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about the “Space Docking Experiment(SPADEX)” recently seen in the news:

It is a mission being developed by the European Space Agency to develop and mature technologies related to orbital rendezvous.
It will be launched by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C60).
Only two satellites will be involved in the mission.

Which of the above statements are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1, 2 and 3 only

D. None

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect:

Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) is a mission being developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to develop and mature technologies related to orbital rendezvous, docking, formation flying, and proximity operations.

It was initiated in 2016 and cleared by the Government of India in 2017 with initial funding of ₹10 crore.
An additional funding of ₹124.47 crore was sanctioned by July 2022 by the Union Cabinet.

Statement 2 is correct:

Satellite Assembly and Integration has been completed by Ananth Technologies Limited and the testing process will be completed by November 2024.

It will be launched by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C60) in mid-December 2024 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

Statement 3 is correct:

Two IMS class-2 satellites of 200 kg each will be involved in the mission. One satellite will act as the Chaser and the other as the Target.
Launch Configuration: Both satellites will be launched as co-passengers or auxiliary payloads to the main satellite.
Orbit: Two satellites will be placed in two slightly different orbits.

SPACE DOCKING EXPERIMENT(SPADEX)