There It Goes! ISRO Launches SpaDeX Mission — A Step Closer to Chandrayaan-4, Gaganyaan

Sriharikota: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched its PSLV-C60 with SpaDeX (Space Docking experiment) and innovative payloads on December 30 at 10:00 PM IST.

SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) is a groundbreaking mission aimed at showcasing India's ability in orbital docking, a crucial technology for future human spaceflights and satellite servicing missions.

Here are Latest Updates:

•  ISRO Chairman Dr. S Somanath says, "I announce the successful launch of the PSLV-C60 for the SpaDeX mission...The rocket has placed the satellites in the right orbit....congratulations to the entire team of the PSLV project who put the satellites in the right orbit. Also, the Spadex team which worked in a very innovative, novel, cost-effective docking demonstration mission using two small satellite bus architectures..."

• ISRO SpaDex Mission: Successful separation of SpaDeX satellites marks another milestone in India’s space journey.
• SpaDex Mission: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launches PSLV-C60 with SpaDeX and innovative payloads from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. First stage performance normal. SpaDeX mission is a cost-effective technology demonstrator mission for the demonstration of in-space docking using two small spacecraft launched by PSLV. The primary objective of the SpaDeX mission is to develop and demonstrate the technology needed for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft (SDX01, which is the Chaser, and SDX02, the Target, nominally) in a low-Earth circular orbit. Through this mission, India is marching towards becoming the fourth country in the world to have space docking technology.

• ISRO SpaDex Mission: PSLV-C60 successfully launches SpaDeX and 24 payloads. 

• ISRO SpaDex Mission: On ISRO PSLV Launch And Space Docking Experiment, W Selvamurthy, Indian Scientist says, " To end the year, when we are bidding farewell to 2024, ISRO, is launching the PSLV C-60, which is a very important technology demonstrator to see how the docking technology, arbitral docking can be achieved. That is the primary mission...there are two primary payloads, which will be the 'target' and 'chaser'. Then there will also be 24 other payloads, among which Amity University is sending a very important biological payload, which is the callus of a plant..."

• ISRO SpaDex Mission: T-1 Hour to Liftoff! PSLV-C60 ready for the historic mission. 

• Spadex Mission: 24 other non-separating POEM payloads on PSLV-C60

• ISRO SpaDex Mission: Flight sequence of PSLV-C60.

• Political leaders wishing for the success of ISRO's mission.

• ISRO SpaDeX Mission: The mission is a gamechanger for India’s growing space ecosystem, offering opportunities to startups and universities. Of the 24 payloads, 14 are from ISRO labs, while 10 come from private universities and startups, underscoring the mission’s role in fostering innovation and collaboration in the space sector.
• PSLV C-60 Mission: Ahead of the PSLV-C60 SpaDeX Mission launch, ISRO scientists visited the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Tirumala to offer prayers & seek divine intervention before the crucial launch. 
• ISRO SpaDeX Mission: Pictures of PSLV-C60 on the First Launch Pad at Sriharikota.

• Spadex Mission: ISRO's SpaDex Mission Explained In Under 5 Minutes.

• ISRO SpaDeX Mission: Indigenous technologies going to space; Docking mechanism,
  A suite of four rendezvous and docking sensors,
  Power transfer technology, 
  GNSS-based Novel Relative Orbit Determination and Propagation (RODP) processor to determine the relative position and velocity of the other spacecraft.
• ISRO SpaDeX Mission: Video of ISRO performing a test of SpaDeX's docking mechanism

• ISRO SpaDeX Mission: The SpaDeX mission aims to position India among the elite group of nations—currently including the United States, Russia, and China—that have achieved autonomous space docking technology. Two satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), will be deployed into a low-Earth orbit at an altitude of 470 km. The mission will demonstrate key capabilities such as rendezvous, docking, and undocking, paving the way for advanced space operations. 
• ISRO SpaDeX Mission: The PSLV-C60 will carry 24 payloads as part of the PS4-Orbital Experiment Module (POEM-4). These payloads include over 20 experimental setups that are integral to ISRO’s broader space exploration objectives and technological demonstrations.
• ISRO SpaDeX Mission: Tonight at precisely 10:00:15 PM, PSLV-C60 with SpaDeX and innovative payloads are set for liftoff.

• ISRO SpaDeX Mission: ISRO assemble the PSLV-C60 vehicle in preparation for the launch of their SpaDeX mission!