ISRO targets December launch for historic space docking experiment
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has set December-end as the target for the launch of its first space docking experiment, which, if successful, would pave the way for future inter-planetary missions and propel it into a select global league of three such operators.
A key spin off of this technology would be extending the operational life of existing satellites. “Space assets like geo-stationary satellites are very expensive but have a life of 8 to 10 years when their propulsion units run out of fuel even though their other onboard systems and sensors are fully functional. Space docking technology would enable replacing propulsion units repeatedly, enabling them to remain effective for several more years,” Dr KV Sriram, director of ISRO’s laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems (LEOS) told The Tribune during his visit to Chandigarh on Wednesday.
“Two satellites designated simply as ‘Chaser’ and ‘Target’ that have been assembled and integrated by a private firm have been received and would be launched on board a single PSLV-class vehicle, which would couple at an altitude of about 700 km,” he said. Each satellite weighs about 400 kg.
Besides validating the docking technology, the mission christened Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX), would also carry several payloads for undertaking scientific studies, he added. A host of critical simulations and end-stage special reviews by scientists at ISRO establishments are currently in progress.
Space docking is the process of two individual manned or unmanned spacecraft locating each other and physically connecting in space and thereafter operating as a single unit for various purposes such as replenishment, repair and crew exchange, till they are separated by command. So far, the United States, Russia and China have developed this technology.
Dr Sriram said that a single spacecraft cannot out complex missions such as inter-planetary exploration, sample collection from space bodies, manned space flights or operating space stations, and require more than one vehicle such as an ascender and descender. For these to operate, docking and berthing technology is crucial.
ISRO’s experiment is critical for mastering docking techniques required for the planned Chandrayaan-4 lunar mission for collecting lunar samples and the proposed Bharatiya Antariksh Space Station that envisions a 52-tonne platform orbiting 400 km above the Earth with a manned crew.
