ISRO is gearing up to end the year on a high note with the launch of SPADEX Mission- the launch of two small satellites to demonstrate docking in space.
The launch is scheduled at 21.58 hours on December 30 from the first launch pad at Sriharikota. India’s workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C60 will launch the two 220 kg satellites in a 470 km circular orbit.
The launch vehicle will providing a small relative velocity between the two.The two satellites will later separate to build-up a distance of around 10 to 20 km between themselves.
According to ISRO, Spadex mission is a cost-effective technology demonstrator mission for the demonstration of in-space docking using two small spacecraft launched by PSLV.
This technology is essential for India’s space ambitions such as Indian on Moon, sample return from the Moon, the building and operation of Bharatiya Antariksh Station, etc. Through this mission, India is marching towards becoming the fourth country in the world to have space docking technology.
The Spadex mission consists of two satellites – SDX01 or Chaser and SDX02 or Target with both designed to align in the same orbit, reduce distance between each other, to join and transfer electrical power between them, and then separate finally. Upon separation, payloads on board both the satellites will continue to function for two years.
