Spacecraft A and B, two spacecraft designed to showcase space docking technology for upcoming missions, were successfully separated by ISRO.
The PSLV-C60 mission concluded late Monday night with the spacecraft in the desired low Earth orbit.
Two Spacecraft To Aid ISRO In Demonstrating Space Docking
The success of the mission was confirmed by Mission Director M. Jayakumar.
ISRO’s goal to build its own space station by 2035 is thought to have been influenced by the PSLV-C60 mission.
With this mission, India will be able to join the select few countries—China, Russia, and the US—that have developed space docking technology.
Two 220 kg spacecraft, Spacecraft A (SDX01), also called the “Chaser,” and Spacecraft B (SDX02), also called the “Target,” were launched by the 44.5-meter-tall PSLV-C60 rocket.
Following a 25-hour countdown, the rocket took off from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 10 PM on Monday.
The spacecraft will continue to travel at the same speed and distance before docking at a height of about 470 kilometers.
How Will Gaining Proficiency In Docking Technologies Help?
Gaining proficiency in docking technologies will allow ISRO to expand mission capabilities, such as satellite servicing and interplanetary missions, and improve operational flexibility.
For large-scale Indian space projects like launching people to the moon, collecting lunar samples (Chandrayaan-4 mission), and constructing the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, docking technology is essential.
As per ISRO, “In-space docking technology is essential when multiple rocket launches are required to achieve common mission objectives. Through this mission, India is marching towards becoming the fourth country in the world to have space docking technology,” ISRO said.
According to ISRO, when several rocket launches are necessary to achieve common mission goals, in-space docking becomes crucial.
The PSLV Integration Facility (PIF) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre was the first to integrate the PSLV-C60 rocket up to its fourth stage.
In order to make docking easier, scientists will shorten the distance between the two spacecraft in the next few days.
With the successful launch of PSLV-C58/XPOSAT on January 1st and the successful conclusion of the year with PSLV-C60, this was ISRO’s last mission of 2024.
