• Source: SPADEX

SPADEX or Space Docking Experiment is a twin satellite mission being developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to mature technologies related to orbital rendezvous, docking, formation flying, with scope of applications in human spaceflight, in-space satellite servicing and other proximity operations.
SPADEX campaign would consist of two IMS class-2 class (400 kg) satellites, one would be Chaser and other being Target and both would be launched as co-passengers or auxiliary payloads. Both satellite would be injected into slightly different orbits.
Space Docking Experiment is currently scheduled for launch from Satish Dhawan Space Centre aboard a dedicated Polar Satellite launch Vehicle by 20th of December 2024.




Objectives


Autonomous rendezvous and docking
Controlling one spacecraft with Attitude Control System of other spacecraft while in docked configuration.
Formation flying
Remote robotic arm operations




History


With preliminary studies done in 2016, Space Docking Experiment was approved by the Government of India with an initial funding of ₹10 crore cleared in 2017. In June 2019, ISRO was looking for proposals to study remote robotic arm operation, rendezvous and docking related technologies on its PSLV fourth stage (PS4) orbital platform.
As of July 2022, Space Docking Experiment has been sanctioned ₹124.47 crore (equivalent to ₹132 crore or US$16 million in 2023) in funding.
The launch of SPADEX is scheduled for mid-December 2024. 'Chaser' and 'Target' are the names of the two 400 kilogram satellites that will engage in docking at an altitude of roughly 700 km.
In less than three months, Ananth Technologies Limited finished the satellite assembly, integration, and testing for ISRO, delivering them to the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC). As per S. Somanath, docking is a crucial component of Chandrayaan-4 and that ISRO intended SPADEX as a forerunner. Satellites for the SPADEX mission are being further tested as of October 2024. All the testing process will be finished by November 2024. Complete simulation demonstration will be performed on it. Before December 15, 2024, the launch will take place. Both the planned Bharatiya Antariksha Station and Gaganyaan space flights depend on the mission's success.




See also


ETS-VII or KIKU-7, also known as Orihime/Hikoboshi
Kosmos 186 and Kosmos 188
Orbital Express
Robotic Refueling Mission




References

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• SPADEX
• Bharatiya Antariksha Station
• Chandrayaan-4
• Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System
• List of ISRO missions
• List of Indian satellites
• List of spaceflight launches in July–December 2024
• Indian Human Spaceflight Programme
• Gaganyaan
• On-orbit satellite servicing