New Delhi, 31 Dec. 2024: ISRO is preparing to achieve a significant milestone as January’s Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV) mission will mark the 100th launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, ISRO Chairman S. Somanath announced.
Monday’s PSLV-C60 mission, the 99th launch from the site, successfully deployed two spacecraft for the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) into a circular orbit. “Today’s lift-off of the SpaDeX rocket represents the 99th vehicle launch from Sriharikota, an important number for us. We now aim for the 100th launch at the start of next year,” Somanath said after the mission’s success.
The PSLV-C60 mission placed the Space Docking Experiment spacecraft, designated A and B, into orbit, advancing India’s efforts in space technology. “This mission is vital to our space sector reforms and signals the beginning of more advanced docking experiments. In the future, we’ll tackle even more complex SpaDeX missions,” he stated.
Looking ahead, Somanath highlighted ISRO’s plans for 2025, including January’s GSLV mission to deploy the NVS-02 navigation satellite. He noted the earlier success of the NVS-01 satellite, launched in May 2023, as the first of India’s second-generation Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) satellites.
Monday’s mission also showcased precision planning. The launch timing was adjusted to prevent potential satellite proximity issues in orbit. “Our scientists studied the possibility of satellites traveling close to each other in orbit. To avoid this, we adjusted the timing to ensure maximum safe distances,” Somanath explained.
The PSLV-C60’s success and the upcoming GSLV mission reflect ISRO’s growing expertise and its critical role in advancing global space exploration.
