SpaDeX Mission: A stepping stone to human spaceflight

As people return from their Christmas and New Yearrsquos holidays India has made headlines by launching the Space Docking Experiment SpaDeX at 1000 pm on December 30 The mission was carried aboard the PSLVC60 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota This attempt is a crucial step toward demonstrating Indiarsquos capabilities in autonomous dockingmdasha feat critical for the future of human and robotic space researchThe SpaDeX MissionSpaDeX was launched aboard the 445metertall PSLVC60 a rocket with a liftoff mass of 229 tonnes The mission deployed two spacecraft into a 476km orbit at a 55deg inclination Subsequent operations involved lowering their orbit to 350 km for the spacecraft to conduct docking procedures The PSLVC60 also implemented advanced postseparation protocols including passivation of the fourth stage to ensure orbital safetyThe mission carried multiple docking stages including separation controlled drift sequential approach phases and final dockingmdashall executed autonomously Additionally it validated experimental power transfer between docked spacecraft paving the way for future orbital infrastructureStepping stone to human spaceflightThe Gaganyaan mission which aims to send Indian astronauts to space stands as one of the most ambitious undertakings of the Indian Space Research Organisation For the mission to be successful India must develop several advanced capabilities including the ability to dock spacecraft autonomously In this context SpaDeX becomes a basis for Gaganyaan and beyond SpaDeX technology will ensure that future crewed missions can safely dock with orbiting space stations or other modules enabling the transfer of crew supplies and scientific instruments The ability of an autodocking spacecraft aligns with its longterm vision of creating a National Space Station by the early 2030sThe autodocking system being developed for SpaDeX relies on robotics AI machine learning and realtime data processing technologies These technologies have broad applications better scientific investigations in space such as asteroid studies or lunar research and in industries far beyond space science including autonomous vehicles healthcare and manufacturingIn particular the progress in robotics and autonomous systems developed by SpaDeX has noble applications in fields like disaster response precision agriculture and even underwater exploration Technologies that enable the safe autonomous operation of spacecraft can similarly be adapted to ensure the safety and efficiency of autonomous machines on Earth presenting new opportunities for crosssector innovation As the space community looks to expand beyond low Earth orbit it will be crucial for future missions where docking enables deepspace exploration planetary landings and even the establishment of permanent habitats on the Moon or MarsEmerging space powerThe global landscape of space exploration has evolved over the past decades shifting from a few dominant space agencies to a more collaborative multipolar environment Historically the United States Russia and more recently China have been the primary drivers of space exploration As an emerging space power Indiarsquos involvement in space exploration is an opportunity for countries with more established space programsmdashthe United States European Space Agency and Russiamdashto engage in collaborative approaches that capitalise on each nationrsquos strengths One example of such collaboration is the Lunar Gateway a project led by NASA as part of the Artemis program that aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the MoonIndiarsquos progress in autodocking will complement the capabilities of other space agencies but the road to the successful development and deployment of autodocking systems is with challenges too Difficulties of operating in the harsh unpredictable environment of space cannot be overstated Even small errors in the docking process can have severe consequences India has faced and overcome similar challenges in missions like Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan As countries look to engage in deeper space explorationmdashwhether through lunar bases interplanetary missions or the construction of space stations Itrsquos a sign of the countryrsquos growing capabilities in advanced space technologies By achieving autodocking itrsquoll not only progress toward its ambitious goals like Gaganyaan and a national space station but also establish itself as a vital contributor to global space exploration just like earlier Moon and Mars missionsAbout the AuthorNishant Sahdev is a theoretical physicist at the University of North Carolina USASend your feedback to nishantsahdevoncogmailcom