ISRO to launch PSLV-C60 SpaDeX docking mission today

The Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO will launch its yearend mission the Space Docking Experiment SpaDeX on Monday said the organisationThe mission will be launched precisely at 100015 pm from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota Andhra PradeshTonight at precisely 100015 PM PSLVC60 with SpaDeX and innovative payloads are set for liftoff SpaDeX Space Docking Experiment is a pioneering mission to establish Indias capability in orbital docking a key technology for future human spaceflight and satellite servicing missions Liftoff 30 Dec 100015 PM 220015 hours ISRO posted on X Launch Day is Here Tonight at precisely 100015 PM PSLVC60 with SpaDeX and innovative payloads are set for liftoffSpaDeX Space Docking Experiment is a pioneering mission to establish Indias capability in orbital docking a key technology for future humanhellip pictwittercom147ywcLP0fmdash ISRO isro December 30 2024The PSLVC60 rocket will be launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota Andhra Pradesh on MondayPreparations have been made to launch the PSLVC60 rocket ISRO is ready with all the arrangements For the Spatial project which will launch two small spacecraft ISRO is making all the arrangements to launch the PSLVC60 rocket from the Sriharikota launch padThe Space Docking Experiment SpaDeX mission will use the PSLVC60 rocketAs per the ISRO the primary objective of the SpaDeX mission is to develop and demonstrate the technology needed for rendezvous docking and undocking of two small spacecraft SDX01 which is the Chaser and SDX02 the Target nominally in a lowEarth circular orbitIn addition SpaDeX because of its small size and mass is even more challenging due to the finer precision required for the rendezvous and docking maneuvers compared to docking two large spacecraft This mission will be a forerunner for autonomous docking needed for future lunar missions like Chandrayaan4 without the support of GNSS from Earth ISRO said in a statementLike all ISRO satellites in lowEarth orbit both the SpaDeX spacecraft carry a differential GNSSbased Satellite Positioning System SPS which provides PNT Position Navigation and Timing solutions for the satellitesIn SpaDeX a novel RODP processor is included in the SPS receiver which allows accurate determination of the relative position and velocity of the Chaser and the Target By subtracting the carrier phase measurements from the same GNSS satellites in both Chaser and Target SPS receivers highly accurate relative states of the two satellites are determined The VHFUHF transceivers in both satellites aid this process by transferring the GNSS satellite measurements from one satellite to the other Hardware and software test beds including closedloop verifications were carried out to characterise the RODP performance the statement saidThe SpaDeX spacecraft were designed and realized by the UR Rao Satellite Centre URSC with the support of other ISRO centers VSSC LPSC SAC IISU and LEOS The spacecraft in its orbital phase will be controlled from ISTRAC using ISRO ground stations and other externally hired ground stationsWith inputs from Agencies