ISRO's PSLV-C60 Launch Live: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved another milestone with the successful launch of the PSLV-C60 rocket, carrying the pioneering Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX). The rocket lifted off at 10:00:15 PM IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
The mission deployed two spacecraft—SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target)—which will execute a series of complex maneuvers over the coming days, culminating in their docking. This success positions India alongside global space leaders like the US, Russia, and China in mastering autonomous docking technology, crucial for future human spaceflights, lunar missions, and the construction of India’s proposed space station, Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
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In a post on X, Naidu wrote," Congratulations to @isro on the successful PSLV-C60 mission from Sriharikota, marking another space milestone! SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) is a pioneering mission to establish India's capability in orbital docking, a crucial step for future human spaceflight and satellite servicing.
ISRO is preparing for a major milestone with a Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV) mission scheduled for January, which will mark the 100th launch from the Sriharikota spaceport, according to a senior official. ISRO Chairman S Somanath said, “So, all of you have seen the majestic lift-off and the launch of the SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) rocket, and for us, this is the 99th launch of any vehicle from Satish Dhawan Space Centre so, that is also a very important number. So, we are going for the 100th launch at the beginning of the next year."
S Somanath stressed the importance of docking for the Chandrayaan-4 mission and confirmed that the final docking is expected to take place around January 7.
On Monday, ISRO successfully launched PSLV-C60 with the SpaDeX and other payloads from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
Somanath said, "Chandrayaan-4 has multiple modules, five in total, which will be launched at different times and integrated into two separate modules. These modules need to reach orbit and then dock both in Earth orbit and Moon orbit. Docking is essential for Chandrayaan-4. This mission aims to go to the Moon, land there, return to Earth, and complete the journey successfully."
He further added, "This is one of the proving grounds for Chandrayaan-4. Docking will begin tomorrow, and many processes will take place, but the final docking will likely happen by January 7."
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for the launch of the NVS-02 satellite in January 2025, aboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), said ISRO Chairman S Somanath.
The ISRO chief on Monday further added that this mission is just one of many planned for the upcoming year. The GSLV launch will mark ISRO's 100th mission.
Project Director Surendran N said, "It is one of the experiments that we are going to prove on orbit, which is going to be useful for future assignments...In the two complex and challenging projects, this docking mechanism is becoming an inevitable requirement...Docking is mandatory. For human space missions also, when you want to attach to an international space station, humans should pass through this docking mechanism. So that way it will be a technology demonstrator."
ISRO PSLV-C60 live updates: India has officially embarked on its first-ever space docking mission, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's space exploration journey. The mission launched successfully aboard ISRO's trusted PSLV rocket.
This advanced technology is a stepping stone toward satellite servicing and the establishment of India's planned space station.
ISRO PSLV-C60 live 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 PSLV-C60 live updates: ISRO is to wait for four days for docking orientation to evaluate the software process.
ISRO PSLV-C60 live updates: Primary SpaDeX spacecraft A and B, onboard PSLV-C60 successfully separated, says ISRO.
ISRO PSLV-C60 live updates: SpaDeX spacecraft SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target) have been successfully deployed. The two spacecraft are now ready for docking operations.
ISRO PSLV-C60 live updates: SpaDeX A and SpaDeX B separated successfully!
ISRO PSLV-C60 live updates: The fourth stage of PSLV-C60 is completed!
ISRO PSLV-C60 live updates: The third stage of ISRO PSLV-C60 ended successfully.
ISRO PSLV-C60 live updates: The second stage of the PSLV-C60 has been performed nominally, and the third stage has been started.
ISRO PSLV-C60 live updates: The PSLV-C60 rocket successfully lifted off at 10:00:15 PM IST, carrying the SpaDeX mission and 24 secondary payloads. A flawless launch marks the beginning of this ambitious space endeavor.
ISRO PSLV-C60 live updates: "Liftoff: 30 Dec, 10:00:15 PM
(22:00:15 hours). Stay tuned for updates," tweeted ISRO on X.
ISRO PSLV-C60 live updates: ISRO has reportedly announced a two-minute delay in the launch of the SpaDeX mission due to a "space traffic jam" involving other satellites. The revised liftoff time is set for 10:00 PM IST.
ISRO PSLV-C60 live updates: Both SpaDeX spacecraft are equipped with a differential GNSS-based Satellite Positioning System to ensure accurate relative positioning and velocity measurement during the docking process.
ISRO PSLV-C60 live updates: The docking of two small spacecraft in space requires a high degree of precision. ISRO scientists are set to carefully guide SDX01 and SDX02 into position for a successful rendezvous.
ISRO PSLV-C60 live updates: SpaDeX is a key step in ISRO’s plan to build India’s own space station. By mastering in-space docking, India is positioning itself as a leader in space exploration.
ISRO PSLV-C60 live updates: The docking technology tested in the SpaDeX mission will be vital for future lunar missions, including Chandrayaan-4, where autonomous docking will be required for tasks such as lunar sample retrieval.
ISRO PSLV-C60 live updates: The SpaDeX mission consists of two spacecraft: SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target). These spacecraft will undergo a series of precise maneuvers to test docking capabilities in low Earth orbit.
ISRO PSLV-C60 live updates: ISRO’s SpaDeX mission aims to demonstrate India’s ability to conduct orbital docking, a critical technology for future missions, including human spaceflight and the construction of India’s proposed space station.
ISRO PSLV-C60 live updates: The PSLV-C60 rocket is fully integrated and ready to launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, carrying the SpaDeX mission along with 24 secondary payloads for space experiments.
ISRO PSLV-C60 live updates: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for the launch of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission aboard the PSLV-C60 rocket at 10:00 PM IST. The mission aims to test in-space docking technology, a major advancement for India’s space program.
