BENGALURU: Isro, which began working on the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) project on mission mode in 2017, much before the announcement of Gaganyaan, chose the mission’s parameters carefully to complement future human spaceflight missions while avoiding populated areas during potential abort scenarios.
“The 475-km orbit sits slightly above the typical human presence orbit of 370 km – 450 km, and the inclination was selected to ensure coverage of most global land masses while considering safety factors,” URSC director M Sankaran told TOI.
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Isro also deployed an extensive tracking network for this mission, utilising both its domestic stations and commercial services globally. The space agency has 18 tracking stations of its own, though not all were used simultaneously. Aside from these, the space agency engaged 24 more stations to track the SpaDeX.
“In some sense, this is like a rehearsal for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission, as the network of stations is used to provide as much visibility as possible. Different stations have been used for different purposes and Istrac has been in continuous touch with these stations,” former Isro chairman S Somanath, in whose tenure the satellites were launched, told TOI.
More attempts this time?
Following the docking, the mission team is evaluating the operation’s success before deciding on the timing of the undocking procedure. “Additional docking attempts may be considered based on remaining fuel and any verification requirements. The mission’s scientific payloads will only be activated after the separation of the satellites,” Sankaran explained.
Each satellite is equipped with an imaging payload and Isro also sent a radiation monitoring payload designed to estimate electron and proton radiation in space, which is crucial for future human space flights. This is important because radiation can be harmful to astronauts’ health.
Similarly, the imaging payloads are also tech demos, aimed at exploring how to achieve high-performance capabilities in smaller, nano-sized satellites. By testing these compact payloads, the mission hopes to pave the way for future remote sensing satellites that can be smaller and more efficient. This approach allows for technological advancements and potential cost reductions in space exploration and satellite technology.
