Summary
SPADEX or Space Docking Experiment is a twin spacecraft 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.[2]
| Operator | ISRO |
|---|---|
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | IMS |
| Manufacturer | ISRO |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | Q3 2024 (planned) [1] |
| Rocket | PSLV C63 |
| Launch site | Satish Dhawan Space Centre |
| Contractor | ISRO |
SPADEX campaign would consist of two IMS class-2 class (200 kg) satellites, one would be Chaser and other being Target and both would be launched as co-passengers or auxiliary payloads.[3][4] Both spacecraft would be injected into slightly different orbits.[5]
Space Docking Experiment is currently scheduled for launch from Satish Dhawan Space Centre aboard a dedicated Polar Satellite launch Vehicle.flight by the end of 2024[6][7][8]
Objectives edit
Status edit
With preliminary studies done in 2016,[12] Space Docking Experiment was approved by the Government of India with an initial funding of ₹10 crore cleared in 2017.[13] 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.[14]
As of July 2022[update], Space Docking Experiment has been sanctioned ₹124.47 crore (equivalent to ₹132 crore or US$17 million in 2023) in funding and is aiming for launch in third quarter of 2024.
See also edit
- ETS-VII or KIKU-7, also known as Orihime/Hikoboshi
- Kosmos 186 and Kosmos 188
- Orbital Express
- Robotic Refueling Mission
References edit
- ^ "Government Of India, Department Of Space, Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 556 to be answered on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 about 'Private Participation In Space'" (PDF). 20 July 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 July 2022.
- ^ a b "Department of Space Annual Report 2018-19" (PDF). Department of Space. 27 May 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
- ^ "Department of Space Outcome Budget 2013-14" (PDF). Department of Space. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 February 2022.
- ^ "Dual-Lever Rigidisation Mechanism With A Self-Hold Down Feature For Autonomous Docking Of Spacecraft". 9 September 2022.
- ^ Chacko, T.; B P, Dakshayani; Vighnesam, N.; Gopinath, N.S. (1 October 2012). Relative state vector generation algorithm for on board navigation for rendezvous docking experiment. 63rd International Astronautical Congress. Vol. 7. pp. 5313–5316.
- ^ Ramesh, M. (1 October 2019) [30 September 2019]. "ISRO's space docking experiment to happen next year, says Sivan". The Hindu BusinessLine. Archived from the original on 15 April 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
- ^ Mehta, Jatan (27 June 2019). "5 Unique Space Science Missions That ISRO Will Be Flying in the Near Future". The Wire. Archived from the original on 15 April 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
- ^ Singh, Surendra (3 October 2019). "Isro to hold space-docking experiment next year, a step towards setting up space station". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 15 April 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
- ^ "Development of end effectors for spacecraft berthing and sample retrieval". www.indiascienceandtechnology.gov.in. Department of Science and Technology. Archived from the original on 15 April 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
- ^ "RESPOND Basket 2021" (PDF). Indian Space Research Organisation. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 December 2021.
- ^ "Research Areas in Space 2021" (PDF). Indian Space Research Organisation. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 April 2022.
- ^ Kumar, Chethan (2 May 2017). "ISRO: Isro project that can aid refuel, repair of satellites in space gets push". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
- ^ "Detailed Demands for Grants of Department of Space for 2018-2019" (PDF). Indian Space Research Organisation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 November 2018.
- ^ "Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for Orbital platform: An avenue for in-orbit scientific experiments" (PDF). Indian Space Research Organisation. 15 June 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 October 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2019.