SpaDeX Mission
Source: The Hindu
GS III: Science and Technology
Overview
- News in Brief
- About SpaDeX Mission
- Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh)
Why in the News?
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission.
News in Brief
- It facilitated the successful establishment and operationalisation of 10 hosted payloads from Non-Government Entities (NGEs) on board the POEM-4 module of the PSLV-C60/SPADEX mission.
- The mission was launched by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on December 30.
About SpaDeX Mission
- It was launched on a PSLV-C60 rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh).
- SpaDeX along with 24 PS4-Orbital Experiment Module (POEM-4) payloads launched.
- Aim
- To develop and demonstrate the technology needed for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft (SDX01(Chaser), and SDX02(Target) in a low-Earth circular orbit.
- Transfer of electric power between docked spacecraft and Composite spacecraft control and payload operations post-undocking.
- Autonomous inter-satellite communication links (ISL) enable direct communication between spacecraft.
- The GNSS-Based Novel Relative Orbit Determination and Propagation (RODP) processor is designed to calculate the relative position and velocity of other spacecraft.
- The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) includes any satellite constellation offering global positioning, navigation, and timing services, such as Galileo (EU) and GPS (USA).
- Additional native technologies developed for this mission include the docking mechanism, sensor suite, and strategies for autonomous rendezvous and docking.
Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh)
Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) is a premier rocket launch center located in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Established in 1971, it is operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Named after renowned Indian space scientist Dr. Satish Dhawan, the center plays a vital role in India’s space program.
Key Features:
- Launch Pads: SDSC houses multiple launch pads, notably for the PSLV and GSLV rockets, enabling a variety of satellite missions.
- Facilities: It boasts state-of-the-art facilities for vehicle assembly, integration, and testing.
- Mission Control: The center includes the Mission Control Centre (MCC), which monitors and manages launch operations.
- Environmental Monitoring: Advanced environmental monitoring systems ensure safety and precision during launches.
SDSC has successfully launched numerous satellites, significantly contributing to India’s advancements in space technology and research. It remains instrumental in positioning India as a prominent player in the global space community.
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