Sun Dec 29 13:52:53 UTC 2024: ## ISRO’s Final 2024 Mission: Space Docking Experiment Set for Launch
**Bengaluru, December 30, 2024** – The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will conclude its 2024 space missions with the launch of PSLV-C60/SPADEX, scheduled for 9:58 p.m. today from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This mission marks ISRO’s first attempt at a Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX), a crucial step towards more ambitious future projects.
SPADEX will utilize two small spacecraft, Chaser (SDX01) and Target (SDX02), each weighing approximately 220 kg. The PSLV-C60 rocket will deploy them into a 470 km circular orbit. The mission will demonstrate the rendezvous, docking, and undocking of these spacecraft, a technology vital for future endeavors like lunar missions involving astronauts and sample returns, as well as the construction and operation of an Indian space station.
The docking process, expected to be completed in the first week of January 2025, will involve a carefully orchestrated series of maneuvers. Initially separated by 20 km, the Chaser will gradually approach the Target, reducing the distance progressively until docking is achieved. The mission will also carry 24 PS4-Orbital Experiment Module (POEM-4) payloads.
ISRO hailed the SPADEX mission as a significant milestone in advancing India’s space capabilities, highlighting its importance for future complex space operations. The successful completion of this experiment will pave the way for India to take on increasingly sophisticated space exploration endeavors.
First Piper 