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IN PHOTOS: ISRO prepares to launch its year-end SpaDeX mission

Updated On: 30 December, 2024 03:28 PM IST | Joy Manikumar

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch its year-end mission, the "Space Docking Experiment" (SpaDeX), on Monday. It will be launched precisely at 10:00:15 pm from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh`s Sriharikota. (Pics/ISRO)

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch its year-end mission, the "Space Docking Experiment" (SpaDeX), on Monday. It will be launched precisely at 10:00:15 pm from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh`s Sriharikota. (Pics/ISRO)

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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch its year-end mission, the "Space Docking Experiment" (SpaDeX), on Monday. It will be launched precisely at 10:00:15 pm from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh`s Sriharikota. (Pics/ISRO)
<p>The "Space Docking Experiment" (SpaDeX) mission will use the PSLV-C60 rocket, which will be launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh on Monday</p>

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The "Space Docking Experiment" (SpaDeX) mission will use the PSLV-C60 rocket, which will be launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh on Monday

<p>The SpaDeX mission consists of two small spacecraft (about 220 kg each) to be launched by PSLV-C6</p>

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The SpaDeX mission consists of two small spacecraft (about 220 kg each) to be launched by PSLV-C6

<p>The additional sensor suite in this mission includes Laser Range Finder (LRF) and Corner Cube Retro Reflectors to work for a range of 6000 to 200 m for determining range (R)</p>

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The additional sensor suite in this mission includes Laser Range Finder (LRF) and Corner Cube Retro Reflectors to work for a range of 6000 to 200 m for determining range (R)

<p>As 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 low-Earth circular orbit</p>

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As 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 low-Earth circular orbit

<p>Like all ISRO satellites in low-Earth orbit, both the SpaDeX spacecraft carry a differential GNSS-based Satellite Positioning System (SPS), which provides PNT (Position, Navigation, and Timing) solutions for the satellites</p>

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Like all ISRO satellites in low-Earth orbit, both the SpaDeX spacecraft carry a differential GNSS-based Satellite Positioning System (SPS), which provides PNT (Position, Navigation, and Timing) solutions for the satellites

<p>After the docking and undocking events, the spacecraft will be separated and used for application missions</p>

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After the docking and undocking events, the spacecraft will be separated and used for application missions

<p>The SpaDeX spacecraft was designed and realized by the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) with the support of other ISRO centres (VSSC, LPSC, SAC, IISU, and LEOS)</p>

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The SpaDeX spacecraft was designed and realized by the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) with the support of other ISRO centres (VSSC, LPSC, SAC, IISU, and LEOS)

<p>&nbsp;The spacecraft, in its orbital phase, will be controlled from ISTRAC using ISRO ground stations and other externally hired ground stations</p>

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 The spacecraft, in its orbital phase, will be controlled from ISTRAC using ISRO ground stations and other externally hired ground stations

<p>Presently, after completing all tests and clearances, the spacecraft has moved from URSC to SDSC and is undergoing preparations for launch</p>

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Presently, after completing all tests and clearances, the spacecraft has moved from URSC to SDSC and is undergoing preparations for launch

<p>SpaDeX is a pioneering mission to establish India`s capability in orbital docking, a key technology for future human spaceflight and satellite servicing missions</p>

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SpaDeX is a pioneering mission to establish India`s capability in orbital docking, a key technology for future human spaceflight and satellite servicing missions

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