BENGALURU: Isro, which has for long had in its pipeline the splitting up of a satellite and then re-uniting it in space as part of the Space Docking Experiment (
Spadex
) mission, is hoping to achieve it by mid Dec.
In an exclusive interview, Isro chairman S Somanath told TOI: “Docking is an integral part of
Chandrayaan-4
and Spadex is a precursor which we had planned.
Currently Spadex satellites are under integration. It will be completed in a month’s time. Then it will go for full-fledged testing, demonstration of simulation and everything. We’re hoping to have a launch before Dec 15.”
Spadex, which will be the first mission towards Isro mastering the docking technology, is not only critical for Chandrayaan-4 sample return mission, but also for all future human space missions and the proposed space station project. Somanath added that the preliminary design review (PDR) of Chandrayaan-4 was yet to be completed
As reported by TOI first, Spadex will see the satellite will be launched in two separate components, which will then rendezvous and dock in space to form a single, fully functional unit. These capabilities — allowing spacecraft to locate each other and maintain the same orbit — are essential for India’s long-term goal of constructing its own space station.
Controlled Descent For TV-D2
Further, Isro, which is gearing up for several crucial missions as part of its Gaganyaan programme, is hoping the achieve at least two — the second test vehicle demonstration (TV-D2) and the first uncrewed mission (G1) — by the end of the year, while work on integrated air-drop test (IADT) and pad abort test (PAT) is also progressing.
“It (TV-D2) will have propulsion this time unlike last time. Controlled thrusters need to be there because we are going to Mach-2 conditions, so higher aerodynamic conditions demand control. Otherwise, an aerodynamic control is not available fully. That is one change. Rest are similar other than propellant loading and mission design,” Somanath said.
The vehicle is ready and has been moved to the spaceport, while crew module integration is going on at the UR Rao Space Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru.
New Cryo Stage, Vyomitra & ECLSS
“For G1, the rocket has reached the spaceport. Both S200s (boosters) are ready while the L110 (Vikas engine) arrived three months ago. The launch vehicle will carry a new cryo stage, the C-32 and not the C-25 which is a longer and different version. That stage is being made for the first time for Gaganyaan. Last week (of Sept) it went through the entire propellant loading mock-up — it was taken to the launchpad, did all the filling trials and brought back,” Somanath said.
He said Isro was ready with the rocket fully. The crew module is in the integration — propulsion and mechanical systems — phase at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and the service module wiring is going on at URSC. “So, items are coming now. The crew escape system is ready and moved to the spaceport,” he added.
Reiterating that the G1 would carry Vyomitra, the half-humanoid, Somanath said the mission will also carry an unpressurized engineering model of the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). “We have a different design to test it. One seat will have Vyomitra and one will have ECLSS. That’s the mass simulation model,” he said.
He emphasised that work is progressing simultaneously on G1, TV-D2, the Pad Abort Test (PAT), and the Integrated Air-Drop Test (IADT).
While G1 is priority, followed by TV-D2, Somanath said: “There are hundreds of inputs — electronics, software, hardware, so many of them to consider. For example, IADT has links with IAF and helicopter availability, TV-D2 has its limitations with respect to some of the propulsion system integration completion. So I am not saying this one must happen first. That decision will be taken depending upon the progress made.”
English (US) ·