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Difficulty: HardScience, Emerging Technology, and Space Missions in News

Regarding the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) being developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for demonstrating autonomous spacecraft rendezvous and docking technologies, which of the following statements are correct?

  1. The mission utilizes twin experimental satellites—designated as Target and Chaser—co-manifested and launched together aboard a single Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).Answer
  2. The primary objective is to validate key technologies required for the proposed Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) and future lunar sample return missions.Answer
  3. C
    The docking spacecraft are placed directly into Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) at an altitude of 35,786 km to conduct initial rendezvous maneuvers.
  4. D
    The mission relies entirely on real-time manual control telecommands from ground stations, without on-board autonomous optical and laser sensor feedback.

Answer

The statements confirming that the mission launches twin satellites (Target and Chaser) on a single PSLV and that it validates core technologies for the Bharatiya Antariksh Station and lunar sample return are correct.
The correct statements correctly identify the core architecture of SpaDeX: launching twin satellites (Target and Chaser) together on a single launch vehicle, and validating autonomous docking technologies essential for long-term Indian space programs like the Bharatiya Antariksh Station and sample return missions.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze mission configuration and launch strategy
SpaDeX involves launching two small spacecraft (Chaser and Target) simultaneously using a single PSLV vehicle into Low Earth Orbit.
Co-manifesting two satellites on a single launcher minimizes cost and enables precise initial relative positioning.
2
Evaluate operational orbit and control mechanism
Rendezvous and docking operations occur in low Earth orbit (around 700 km altitude) using onboard autonomous navigation (LiDAR, optical cameras, thrusters) rather than ground-manual control or high-altitude GTO placement.
Ground signal latency prevents manual real-time control during delicate final docking approaches in space.
3
Assess strategic significance for Indian space roadmap
Autonomous space docking technology is a critical building block for modular space station construction (Bharatiya Antariksh Station), human spaceflight operations, and lunar sample return operations.
Joining two structures in orbit is essential when single launch vehicles cannot lift massive single-piece payloads.

Key Concept

ISRO Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) and Autonomous Spacecraft Rendezvous
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Topics

Science, Emerging Technology, and Space Missions in News

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