NOTAM issued for PSLV-C60/SpaDEx (Space Docking Experiment).
Enforcement duration 1600-2000 (UTC), 30 December 2024 to 13 January 2025.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPADEX
Fourth stage (PS4) will be configured as POEM-4 orbital platform to host few payloads from Indian space-startups.
(Contd.)
POEM-4 might also host something interesting, a robotic arm!
(Contd.) These three are not in gallery but accessible via URL. EXIF data not purged.
https://www.isro.gov.in/media_isro/image/index/SPADEX/image17.jpg
https://www.isro.gov.in/media_isro/image/index/SPADEX/image18.jpg
https://www.isro.gov.in/media_isro/image/index/SPADEX/image19.jpg
ISRO began purging EXIF data as we used to use that to figure out launch campaign process and any oddities in it.
(Contd.) POEM-4 payload details are now available. There are 24 payloads in total including two robotic arms
Apparently for first time all four stages were stacked in PIF.
https://www.eenadu.net/telugu-news/districts/chittoor-news/2/124229473
(Contd.)
PSLV-C60/SpaDeX Mission Press-kit
https://www.isro.gov.in/media_isro/pdf/Missions/PSLVC60/PSLVC60-mission-brochure-english.pdf
(Contd.)
If PSLV-C60/SpaDeX launches as scheduled from FLP, it will be the shortest period between two consecutive orbital launches for ISRO from same pad at 25.25 days after PSLV-C59/PROBA-3 launch on 5 December.
Previous shortest gap was 31.02 days between GSLV-F09/GSAT-9 and GSLV MkIII-D1/GSAT-19 from SLP.
(Contd.) PSLV-C60 integration video.
https://www.isro.gov.in/mission_spadex_integration_video.html
(Contd.)
11 ground stations are supporting PSLV-C60 flight as a rehearsal of Gaganyaan flight.
(Contd.)
Three objects cataloged
62459 ( 24253A )
i=54.99°, A×P=476.32×469.14 km
62460 ( 24253B )
i=54.99°, A×P=476.40×469.26 km
62461 ( 24253C )
i=55.05°, A×P=475.43×356.84 km
Last one should be POEM-4, cataloged before achieving 350 km circular orbit perhaps.
(Contd.) After ages they have posted a slow-mo lift-off video.
https://www.isro.gov.in/mission_spadex_liftoffvideo.html
Onboard video
(Contd.)
s2a systems on bsky
"Low elevation pass of the ISRO Space Docking Experiment SpaDeX A and SpaDeX B. Recorded today, 2024-12-31, between 05:27:10 and 05:27:20 UTC from the South American site."
https://bsky.app/profile/s2a-systems.bsky.social/post/3lelf7yo7bc22
(Contd.) s2a systems on bsky
"Once again ISRO’s SpaDeX A and SpaDeX B, this time at better elevation while flying over Europe. Recorded today, 2024-12-31, between 17:24:44 and 17:25:22 UTC shortly before they enter the Earth's shadow."
https://bsky.app/profile/s2a-systems.bsky.social/post/3lemnnjzytk2z
On X they noted that the distance between satellites is about 5.7 km
(Contd.) s2a systems on bsky
"Today’s SpaDeX A and SpaDeX B, while flying over Europe. Recorded on 2025-01-01 at 16:53:39 UTC."
Satellites are now ~12 km apart.
https://bsky.app/profile/s2a-systems.bsky.social/post/3lep3y4ls7k27
(Contd.) s2a systems on bsky
"Today’s SpaDeX A and SpaDeX B, over the Indian Ocean. Recorded from Australia on 2025-01-02 at 15:24:11 UTC."
https://bsky.app/profile/s2a-systems.bsky.social/post/3lerhhtg33c2f
By scale they appear to be ~8 km apart.
(Contd.)
s2a systems: "This morning's low elevation pass of SpaDeX A and SpaDeX B, over South America. Recorded on 2025-01-03 at 05:29:58 UTC."
https://bsky.app/profile/s2a-systems.bsky.social/post/3leswbfg3yc2e
Just about 5 km apart now.
(Contd.) Relocatable Robotic Manipulator-Technology Demonstrator (RRM-TD) in action onboard POEM-4.
Source: ISRO on X
(Contd.) s2a systems on bsky
"SpaDeX A and SpaDeX B, recorded this evening, 2025-01-03 at 17:27:31 UTC over Europe. The estimated distance is a bit over 2 km."
https://bsky.app/profile/s2a-systems.bsky.social/post/3leug3p7v222c
ISRO on X
"Life sprouts in space! VSSC's CROPS (Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies) experiment onboard PSLV-C60 POEM-4 successfully sprouted cowpea seeds in 4 days. Leaves expected soon."
s2a systems on Bsky
https://bsky.app/profile/s2a-systems.bsky.social/post/3levlvbjptc2l
"This morning's low elevation pass of SpaDeX A and SpaDeX B, over South America. Recorded 2025-01-04 at 04:59:29 UTC. The estimated distance between the two spacecraft was about 1.9 km."
@Ohsin they turned around FLP for launch in 15 days?
@pradx Pad turnaround time is 10 days AFAIK.
@pradx From an old thread about PIF.
"Pad occupancy time will reduce to 15 days."
"Campaign duration will reduce to 23 days."
https://old.reddit.com/r/ISRO/comments/6p3tx9/official_website_of_sdsc_shar_has_been_updated/
"Pad occupancy of 10 days" per former SHAR Director back in 2019.
@Ohsin pad occupancy time only means the time the launch vehicle will stay on the launch pad right?
So, integration of third and fourth stage in PIF reduces the time the vehicle stays on the launch pad. It only occupies the pad for the time from integration of payloads and payload fairing to launch, for the C60 mission.
I am talking of the time the pad can be used after a launch occurs. So, pad cleanup etc.
@pradx From GS interview of Somanath. Pad refurbishment time is 10 days.
https://old.reddit.com/r/ISRO/comments/1g0hdt5/i_interviewed_somanath_on_nglv_cy4_venus/lr9ilb5/
@Ohsin thanks.