'From 15 km to collision': ISRO’s Spadex mission is testing a nerve-wracking move
Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
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Mission Overview
ISRO’s Space Docking Experiment (Spadex) will demonstrate rendezvous and docking, marking India’s entry into a technology mastered by only a few nations.
Satellite Journey
The chaser and target satellites are en route to Sriharikota for their December 30 launch on a PSLV.
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Docking Steps
After launch, the two satellites will separate, gradually reduce their distance, and dock in a controlled manner.
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Precision Approach
The chaser satellite will close the gap incrementally—from 15 km to 5 km, then to 1.5 km, culminating in docking.
Radiation Payload
Aboard the satellites is a radiation monitoring payload designed to study electron and proton radiation, crucial for astronaut safety.
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Imaging Demo
Imaging payloads on Spadex will test advanced remote sensing capabilities in nano-satellites, paving the way for efficient, compact technology.
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Future Missions
Spadex’s docking tech will play a key role in India’s Chandrayaan-4, human spaceflight program, and the future space station project.
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Technological Leap
The experiment refines radiation monitoring tools to enhance safety for astronauts in future space missions.
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Global Benchmark
Mastering docking and rendezvous positions ISRO among the elite spacefaring nations capable of executing complex orbital maneuvers.