India’s space agency, ISRO, continues its ambitious foray into lunar exploration with the development of technologies crucial for the Chandrayaan-4 mission. Set to launch later this decade, Chandrayaan-4 aims to bring lunar rock samples back to Earth, introducing a groundbreaking phase in India’s space exploration journey. At the forefront of this endeavor is the SPADEX mission, a vital testing ground for the in-orbit docking technology that will play a pivotal role in Chandrayaan-4.
Unraveling the SPADEX Mission
The SPADEX mission involves a spacecraft featuring two components – Chaser and Target. These components will engage in a mock drill of docking and separation, simulating the intricate maneuvers required for lunar sample retrieval. While in the low-Earth orbit (LEO), the Chaser and Target will separate, only to autonomously rendezvous later on, demonstrating advanced space docking capabilities.
The success of the SPADEX mission is crucial for Chandrayaan-4, where a sample module will dock with another spacecraft in lunar orbit. This sample module, loaded with Moon rocks and regolith, will join the re-entry module for a journey back to Earth, marking a significant leap in lunar exploration technology.
Chandrayaan-3’s Contributions and Future Plans
ISRO’s recent announcement about Chandrayaan-3’s Propulsion Module further emphasizes its commitment to lunar exploration. Transferred into Earth’s orbit with leftover propellant, the module is set to orbit the Earth for the next year, contributing valuable insights for future lunar missions and sample return strategies.
Additionally, ISRO’s Vikram lander’s hop experiment showcased the agency’s capability to lift off from the lunar surface, laying the groundwork for launching the sample module to the re-entry module.
Beyond Chandrayaan-4: SPADEX and Bharatiya Antariksha Station
The success of the SPADEX mission extends beyond Chandrayaan-4, playing a vital role in the development of the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (Indian Space Station). ISRO Chairman S Somanath highlighted that the agency aims to launch the space station’s first module in 2028. The SPADEX technology, with its demonstrated in-orbit docking capabilities, will contribute significantly to assembling the multi-modular space station, slated for completion by 2035.
In essence, SPADEX not only signifies a stepping stone for Chandrayaan-4 but also serves as a precursor to India’s asp
