India launched a pair of test satellites in space

The launch, named SpaDeX, will help India test docking technology in space for the first time, an important step for the country’s ambition to build a space station and send people to the Moon.

“I am pleased to announce the successful launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) 60 rocket for the SpaDeX mission. The rocket has placed the satellites into orbit,” said S. Somanath, president of the Foundation Indian Space Research (ISRO) spoke immediately after the launch. He said that if everything goes well, the first pairing attempt could take place on January 7 next year.

The SpaDeX mission includes two satellites Target and Chaser, aiming to test automatic docking technology in orbit. However, ISRO hopes they will do more.

The mission also carried 24 sets of experiments, including a small robotic arm on the fourth stage of the PSLV 60 rocket, separate from the pair of satellites. Scientists hope to test the arm and other devices once paired, and test the ability to control the dual satellites and transmit power between them.

The pairing is expected to take place when Target and Chaser fly in low Earth orbit at an altitude of 470 km. The two satellites, each weighing 220 kg, will test maneuvers to approach each other from a distance of 20 km. Chaser proactively moved closer to perform the final pairing step.

“After successful pairing and fixation, the energy transfer process between the two satellites will be performed before they separate to begin operating the equipment carried with the expected mission time of two years,” ISRO said.

With this mission, India is moving towards becoming the 4th country in the world with outer space pairing technology after Russia, the US, and China. The world’s most populous country has an aerospace program with a relatively low budget but is quickly reaping the achievements of space powers. For example, in August 2023, India sent a spacecraft to land on the Moon, becoming the fourth country to do this after Russia, the US, and China.