Category: Tech

India’s ambitious space program took a significant leap as two satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), came within three meters during a historic trial for space docking, announced the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday. The satellites, part of the SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) mission, later moved to a safe distance for further analysis.

ISRO stated, “A trial attempt to reach up to 15 m and further to 3 m is done. Moving back spacecraft to a safe distance. The docking process will be done after analysing data further.” Stunning images and videos captured by the satellites at various distances were also shared.

Launched on December 30 aboard a PSLV C60 rocket, the SpaDeX mission aims to establish India’s indigenous Bhartiya Docking System. If successful, India will join the US, Russia, and China in mastering the complex docking technology critical for advanced space exploration.

The mission will pave the way for future projects, including the Bharatiya Antariksh Station and Chandrayaan-4. ISRO’s chief, Dr. S. Somnath, emphasized the importance of thorough calibration and testing before the docking process proceeds. Once docked, the satellites will transfer power and operate as a single unit, with undocking and independent operations confirming mission success.

The groundbreaking wooden satellite, LignoSat, has officially entered Earth’s orbit, marking an important milestone in space exploration. NASA acknowledged the deployment from the International Space Station (ISS) last month in a blog post published Tuesday. In November 2024, the revolutionary satellite was carried to the International Space Station onboard a SpaceX Dragon cargo spaceship.

Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry collaborated to create this pioneering initiative, which combines traditional Japanese craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. LignoSat consists of 10 cm-long panels made of honoki magnolia wood that is built using a traditional wood-joinery technique that does not use screws or glue. Weighing only 900 grams, the satellite strikes an impressive balance of simplicity and sophistication.

The six-month mission will investigate wood’s potential in space as a sustainable alternative to standard materials such as aluminium and titanium. Sensors on LignoSat monitor its structural strain, temperature resilience, and radiation resistance. Withstanding harsh temperatures ranging from -100 to 100 degrees Celsius every 45 minutes is one of the satellite’s most important durability tests.

Wooden satellites could revolutionize space sustainability by totally burning up upon re-entry, leaving no trace. This novel design provides a cleaner alternative to regular satellites, paving the possibility for environmentally friendly lunar and Mars exploration missions.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has reached a major milestone with the successful operation of its first space robotic arm on the POEM4 platform. This robotic arm, called the Relocatable Robotic Manipulator-Technology Demonstrator (RRM-TD), was activated during the PSLV-C60 SpaDeX mission.

ISRO announced the achievement on X, stating, “RRM_TD, India’s first space robotic arm, is in action onboard #POEM4! A proud #MakeInIndia milestone in space robotics.” The space agency also shared a video showing the arm performing various operations in space.

The video starts with the robotic arm unlocking and lifting from its base position. It then shows the arm performing complex tasks like “Arm manipulation with 7 actuators” and “Positioning using visual servoing,” a technique that uses visual data to control the robot’s movements. The footage ends with the arm returning to its base position after completing its tasks, as reported by NDTV.

Developed by the ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU), the RRM-TD is India’s first space robotic manipulator with walking capability. It features advanced technology, including indigenous robotic joints, arm controllers, and visual servoing systems. Equipped with cameras for precise eye-in-hand operation, the robotic arm also has multiple safety features to ensure smooth functioning.

A batch of cowpea seeds, known as lobia in Hindi and thattapayaru in Tamil, has successfully sprouted in space. The seeds were taken into orbit by an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) mission and sprouted within days. On Saturday, January 4, 2025, ISRO also announced the successful operation of India’s first space robotic arm.

These experiments were part of the 24 payloads on the PSLV-C60 SpaDeX mission’s PS4-Orbital Experiment Module (POEM-4), launched on December 30, 2024.

In a series of posts on X, ISRO shared, “Life sprouts in space! VSSC’s CROPS experiment onboard PSLV-C60 POEM-4 successfully sprouted cowpea seeds in 4 days. Leaves expected soon.” In another post, ISRO highlighted, “#RRM_TD, India’s first space robotic arm, is in action onboard #POEM4! A proud #MakeInIndia milestone in space robotics.”

The CROPS (Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies) payload, developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), aims to enhance ISRO’s ability to grow plants in extraterrestrial environments. Designed as a fully automated system, the experiment plans to demonstrate seed germination and plant growth to the two-leaf stage within five to seven days in microgravity. It involves growing eight cowpea seeds in a closed-box environment with active thermal control.

On December 30, 2024, ISRO launched the PSLV-C60 mission, aiming to achieve India’s first in-space docking through the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX). The mission deployed two satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), into orbit from Sriharikota’s spaceport. These satellites will attempt the docking maneuver on January 7, 2025. The Success will position India among space pioneers and boost future missions like Chandrayaan-4 and the Bhartiya Antrish Station.

In the coming days, the satellites will drift apart to a distance of approximately 20 km before ISRO attempts the critical docking maneuver. If successful, India will join the US, Russia, and China as pioneers of this complex technology.

ISRO Chairman S. Somanath expressed confidence, stating, “The rocket has placed the satellite in the right orbit. The satellites moved one behind the other. Their distance will increase to about 20km over the next few days before we close the gap and attempt the docking. We’re hoping to complete docking in the coming week. The nominal date for this is Jan 7.”

The SpaDeX mission highlights India’s growing prowess in space technology and its ambitions to lead in next-generation innovations. Beyond the technical achievement, a successful docking will mark a new chapter in India’s space exploration journey.

Norway achieved a remarkable milestone in 2024, with fully electric vehicles making up 93% of all new car sales. The Norwegian Road Federation (OFV) reported this as a record, highlighting the country’s global leadership in electric mobility.

This shift aligns with Norway’s ambitious goal to end sales of internal combustion engine cars by 2025. The transition has been accelerated by generous government incentives, including tax exemptions and benefits for EV owners. These policies have made electric vehicles more affordable and appealing to consumers.

Tesla emerged as a dominant player in Norway’s market, claiming the top spot among automakers. Other leading brands like Volkswagen and BMW also contributed significantly to this electric revolution. This transformation showcases the growing popularity of sustainable transportation options.

The rise of electric vehicles has also positively impacted Norway’s climate goals, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. The government continues to push for greener policies, encouraging more people to adopt electric cars.

As Norway approaches its 2025 target, the country remains an inspiring example for others aiming to transition to cleaner transportation systems. The focus now shifts to maintaining this momentum and addressing challenges like infrastructure expansion and battery recycling.

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, launched in 2018, continues its groundbreaking mission to study the sun up close. It has already flown through the sun’s corona, the outermost layer visible during a total solar eclipse.

On Tuesday, Parker will reach its next milestone by approaching within a record-breaking 3.8 million miles (6 million kilometers) of the sun’s surface. To put this in perspective, if the sun and Earth were at opposite ends of a football field, Parker would be at the 4-yard line, according to NASA’s Joe Westlake.

During this flyby, Parker will achieve a staggering speed of 430,000 mph (690,000 kph), making it the fastest spacecraft ever built. It is equipped with a heat shield capable of withstanding extreme temperatures of 2,500°F (1,371°C).

Parker aims to orbit the sun at this distance until at least September. Scientists hope to uncover why the sun’s corona is hundreds of times hotter than its surface and to understand the forces behind the solar wind, a stream of charged particles emanating from the sun.

The sun’s activity, while essential for life on Earth, can also cause disruptions. Severe solar storms may temporarily interfere with radio communications and power grids. Currently, the sun is in its maximum phase of an 11-year cycle, creating stunning auroras in unexpected locations.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has revealed the first glimpse of its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) satellites. This development marks a crucial step in India’s efforts to master advanced in-space docking technology.

Mission Goals and Significance

The SpaDeX mission aims to demonstrate autonomous docking between two spacecraft. This technology is essential for future space missions, enabling multiple spacecraft to rendezvous and perform tasks together.

By achieving this milestone, ISRO will join an elite group of nations, including the United States, Russia, and China, that have mastered this complex capability.

Launch Details

The mission will launch aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C60 (PSLV-C60), underscoring ISRO’s continued innovation. SpaDeX is set to become a landmark in India’s space exploration journey.

Key Features of SpaDeX

• Primary Objective: The mission will showcase the rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft, SDX01 (the Chaser) and SDX02 (the Target).
• Orbit: These spacecraft will operate in a low-Earth circular orbit, simulating critical conditions for future missions.

Why Autonomous Docking Matters?

Autonomous docking is vital for a range of operations, such as constructing space stations and conducting lunar exploration. SpaDeX’s success could pave the way for cost-effective and advanced space missions in the future.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has begun assembling the Human Rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (HLVM3) for Gaganyaan’s first uncrewed flight. The announcement coincides with ISRO’s celebration of the 10th anniversary of the LVM3-X Crew Module Atmospheric Re-Entry.

On Wednesday at 8:45 am, ISRO stacked the nozzle-end segment of the S200 motor with a full flex seal nozzle at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC). This marked the start of the official launch campaign for the HLVM3-G1 / OM-1 mission. ISRO will now work on assembling the S200 motors, control systems, and avionics.

Crew escape systems have arrived at SDSC. The crew module is being integrated at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), while the service module is being assembled at UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC). Orbital Module (OM) integration and testing will follow at URSC.

ISRO’s release recalled a milestone from December 18. On that day, the Indian Coast Guard recovered the crew module from the Bay of Bengal. The same day, LVM3-X’s maiden flight lifted a 3,775 kg crew module to a suborbital altitude of 126 km, ensuring safe re-entry using thrusters.

Space startups in Japan and India have teamed up to tackle orbital congestion. On Tuesday, they announced plans to study using laser-equipped satellites to remove space debris.

Tokyo-based Orbital Lasers and Indian robotics firm InspeCity will explore business opportunities for in-space services. These include de-orbiting defunct satellites and extending spacecraft lifespans.

Orbital Lasers, a spin-off from Japanese satellite giant SKY Perfect JSAT, is developing a unique system. The system will use laser energy to vaporize parts of space debris, slowing its rotation. This makes it easier for servicing spacecraft to capture and remove the debris.

The company aims to demonstrate the system in space and supply it to operators after 2027. According to Aditya Baraskar, Orbital Lasers’ global business lead, the system can be mounted on InspeCity satellites if they meet regulatory requirements in India and Japan.

The companies have signed a preliminary agreement to launch the collaboration. InspeCity, founded in 2022, raised $1.5 million last year. Orbital Lasers has raised 900 million yen ($5.8 million) since its launch in January.

This project highlights growing cooperation between Japan and India. Their governments are also partnering on the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission, which could launch as early as 2026.