Indian Space Program: News & Discussions
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SPADEX: It’ll take ISRO 10 days from launch to achieve docking; to also test astronaut safety tech
Chethan Kumar / TNN / Dec 17, 2024, 00:17 IST
BENGALURU: ISRO's Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) will require 10 days after the launch to achieve the rendezvous and docking. The two Spadex satellites will also carry other technology demonstrator instruments, including one that will be useful in ensuring astronaut safety.
In an exclusive interview with TOI, M Sankaran, Director, UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), said the satellites — chaser and target spacecraft — that are part of the mission will leave from Bengaluru to the spaceport in Sriharikota on Tuesday.
Only a handful of countries have mastered the docking technology, which is crucial for a variety of space missions. While SPADEX is the first step in this direction, mastering the rendezvous and docking technology is critical for India’s Chandrayaan-4, human spaceflight program, and the ambitious space station project.
As per ISRO’s latest plan, the mission to be launched on a PSLV is expected to happen on December 30. The space agency has issued the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM), which is mandatory for any launch, with a window of December 30 to January 13.
“At the launch, two satellites will be launched separately but by the same launch vehicle. Initially, they will be released individually with a small relative velocity between them. The distance between the satellites will grow. After they reach a distance of about 10 km-15 km, the drift between the two satellites will be arrested, and the systems on board will be evaluated,” Sankaran said.
Following the systems health check, one satellite (chaser) will be moved closer to the other in incremental steps. “First, it will approach about 5 km, then to 1.5 km. The satellites will be brought closer and closer, ultimately leading to docking. The entire procedure ensures that the satellites are launched separately but will eventually come together in a controlled manner,” Sankaran added.
Imaging & Astronaut safety
While the main focus of the satellites will be on the docking demonstration, they will carry some bonus payloads.
“Each satellite is equipped with an imaging payload. And we are also sending a radiation monitoring payload. The radiation monitoring payload is designed to estimate electron and proton radiation in space, which is crucial for future human space flights. This is important because radiation can be harmful to astronauts’ health,” Sankaran said.
He said ISRO already flew some radiation monitoring payloads earlier and that the one on the Spadex satellites will be a new type. “The idea is to test different types of radiation monitors across various missions. The goal is to develop and refine radiation monitoring instruments that can eventually be used in human space missions,” he said.
Similarly, the imaging payloads are also tech demos, aimed at exploring how to achieve high-performance capabilities in smaller, nano-sized satellites. By testing these compact payloads, the mission hopes to pave the way for future remote sensing satellites that can be smaller and more efficient. This approach allows for technological advancements and potential cost reductions in space exploration and satellite technology.
ISRO's Spadex Mission: Achieving Satellite Docking in 10 Days | - Times of India
Chethan Kumar / TNN / Dec 17, 2024, 00:17 IST
BENGALURU: ISRO's Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) will require 10 days after the launch to achieve the rendezvous and docking. The two Spadex satellites will also carry other technology demonstrator instruments, including one that will be useful in ensuring astronaut safety.
In an exclusive interview with TOI, M Sankaran, Director, UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), said the satellites — chaser and target spacecraft — that are part of the mission will leave from Bengaluru to the spaceport in Sriharikota on Tuesday.
Only a handful of countries have mastered the docking technology, which is crucial for a variety of space missions. While SPADEX is the first step in this direction, mastering the rendezvous and docking technology is critical for India’s Chandrayaan-4, human spaceflight program, and the ambitious space station project.
As per ISRO’s latest plan, the mission to be launched on a PSLV is expected to happen on December 30. The space agency has issued the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM), which is mandatory for any launch, with a window of December 30 to January 13.
“At the launch, two satellites will be launched separately but by the same launch vehicle. Initially, they will be released individually with a small relative velocity between them. The distance between the satellites will grow. After they reach a distance of about 10 km-15 km, the drift between the two satellites will be arrested, and the systems on board will be evaluated,” Sankaran said.
Following the systems health check, one satellite (chaser) will be moved closer to the other in incremental steps. “First, it will approach about 5 km, then to 1.5 km. The satellites will be brought closer and closer, ultimately leading to docking. The entire procedure ensures that the satellites are launched separately but will eventually come together in a controlled manner,” Sankaran added.
Imaging & Astronaut safety
While the main focus of the satellites will be on the docking demonstration, they will carry some bonus payloads.
“Each satellite is equipped with an imaging payload. And we are also sending a radiation monitoring payload. The radiation monitoring payload is designed to estimate electron and proton radiation in space, which is crucial for future human space flights. This is important because radiation can be harmful to astronauts’ health,” Sankaran said.
He said ISRO already flew some radiation monitoring payloads earlier and that the one on the Spadex satellites will be a new type. “The idea is to test different types of radiation monitors across various missions. The goal is to develop and refine radiation monitoring instruments that can eventually be used in human space missions,” he said.
Similarly, the imaging payloads are also tech demos, aimed at exploring how to achieve high-performance capabilities in smaller, nano-sized satellites. By testing these compact payloads, the mission hopes to pave the way for future remote sensing satellites that can be smaller and more efficient. This approach allows for technological advancements and potential cost reductions in space exploration and satellite technology.
ISRO's Spadex Mission: Achieving Satellite Docking in 10 Days | - Times of India
Dr V Narayanan is going to be new ISRO Chairman, He contributed a lot in LPSC, Our LOX- Methane engine for NGLV is in right hand.
Congrats Team ISRO
!! This docking mechanism of satellites apart from Chandrayaan 4 can be used for building bigger satellites and telescopes as a Jugad technology for the future. Can add extra power equipment or fuel to a dying satellite, so the scope is unlimited. a great achievement of ISRO. All the new satellites should have this plug-in inbuilt, which will help in the future.
Core Liquid stage for LVM3 flagged off to Sriharikota
January 17, 2025
Secretary, DOS/Chairman, ISRO flagged off the core liquid stage (L110) of ISRO’s LVM3 launch vehicle on January 17, 2025, to the launch complex at Sriharikota in the presence of the Directors of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC SHAR) and ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC). This stage is the 10th L110 liquid stage integrated at ISRO Propulsion complex, Mahendragiri and is earmarked for the LVM3 mission under a commercial agreement between NSIL and AST & Science, LLC to launch their BlueBird Block 2 satellite. The stage was designed and developed by Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) during the development of the LVM3 launch vehicle and is powered by twin Vikas engines with a propellant loading of 110 tons.
Core Liquid stage for LVM3 flagged off to Sriharikota
January 17, 2025
Secretary, DOS/Chairman, ISRO flagged off the core liquid stage (L110) of ISRO’s LVM3 launch vehicle on January 17, 2025, to the launch complex at Sriharikota in the presence of the Directors of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC SHAR) and ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC). This stage is the 10th L110 liquid stage integrated at ISRO Propulsion complex, Mahendragiri and is earmarked for the LVM3 mission under a commercial agreement between NSIL and AST & Science, LLC to launch their BlueBird Block 2 satellite. The stage was designed and developed by Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) during the development of the LVM3 launch vehicle and is powered by twin Vikas engines with a propellant loading of 110 tons.
Core Liquid stage for LVM3 flagged off to Sriharikota