The 99th launch from Sriharikota, Monday’s PSLV-C60 mission, successfully deployed two spacecraft for the Space Docking Experiment.
ISRO Chief S. Somanath announced on Monday that the space agency is preparing for a major milestone, with a Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV) mission in January marking the 100th launch from the Sriharikota spaceport.
Monday’s PSLV-C60 mission, the 99th launch from Sriharikota, successfully deployed two spacecraft into a circular orbit for the Space Docking Experiment.
ISRO Chief S. Somanath highlighted the significance of Monday’s PSLV-C60 mission, marking the 99th launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. “You all witnessed the majestic lift-off of the SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) rocket. This being our 99th vehicle launch makes it a significant milestone. We are now gearing up for the 100th launch early next year,” he told the press, as reported by PTI.
The SpaDeX mission is a cost-effective technology demonstrator aimed at showcasing in-space docking capabilities. According to ISRO, its primary goal is to develop the technology for docking and undocking in space using two small spacecraft deployed by the PSLV.
Somanath expressed optimism about future advancements in Space Docking Experiments by Indian scientists.
“This mission is a significant step forward, aligning with the space sector reforms and the expansion of space activities. We can expect many more SpaDeX missions, including complex docking system projects, in the days to come,” he said.
ISRO Chief Optimistic About 2025 Mission Plans
ISRO Chairman S. Somanath shared his optimism for the agency’s upcoming missions in 2025.
“In 2025, we will begin the year with multiple missions, starting with the GSLV launch of the navigation satellite NVS-02 in January,” he told reporters.
ISRO previously achieved a milestone in May 2023 with the successful launch of the GSLV-F12/NVS-01 rocket. This mission deployed the 2,232 kg NVS-01 navigation satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
The NVS-01 satellite marked the beginning of the second-generation satellites designed for Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) services.
Addressing the rescheduling of the PSLV-C60 rocket launch from the originally planned 9:58 PM to 10:00 PM on December 30, ISRO Chief S. Somanath explained the importance of a conjunction study. Scientists analyze whether a satellite entering orbit might come too close to another satellite already traveling in the same path.
“If we detect any close proximity between satellites, we adjust the launch timing. This could involve delaying or advancing the launch to prevent such proximity,” he said.
Somanath added that the team carefully determined the optimal time for lift-off, ensuring the new satellite would maintain a safe distance from others in orbit.
