PSLV-C60 Mission
Launched on December 30, 2024, from Satish Dhawan Space Center (SDSC) Sriharikota.
Deployed Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) satellites into a 475-km circular orbit.
SpaDeX Satellites
ISRO attempted to reduce inter-satellite distance for docking: from 500m to 225m on January 8, 2025, then further to 3m by January 12.
On January 16, ISRO successfully completed its first in-orbit rendezvous and docking, making history in satellite docking.
After docking, both satellites were controlled together, demonstrating capability necessary for future lunar and space station docking.
POEM4 (Orbital Experimental Module)
The fourth stage of the PSLV-C60 rocket moved to a 350-km circular orbit and performed passivation (fuel dump).
Carried 24 payloads, including:
ISRO’s Relocatable Robotic Manipulator-Technology Demonstrator.
Debris Capture Robotic Arm Manipulator, though ISRO didn't confirm success in capturing debris.
Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS) to grow cowpea seeds in orbit.
Various private and academic payloads like:
Vyom 2U (Manastu Space’s green propulsion system test).
GLX-SQ (GalaxEye's synthetic-aperture radar).
SwetchaSAT-V0 (N Space Tech's communications test).
MOI-TD (TakeMe2Space's AI demo).
APEMS (Amity University’s plant growth experiment).
Change of Leadership at ISRO
V. Narayanan took over from S. Somanath as ISRO Chairman on January 14, 2025.
Narayanan is known for his expertise in cryogenic and semi-cryogenic engines and chaired the committee for Chandrayaan-2’s failure investigation.
Private Sector Contributions
Pixxel Space: Launched three Firefly hyperspectral satellites as part of India’s first private satellite constellation.
Digantara: Launched its Space Camera for Object Tracking to enhance space situational awareness.
XDLINX Labs: Launched the Elevation 1 miniaturized communications satellite to test its E-band communications payload.
Third Launch Pad
The Union Cabinet approved ₹3984.86 crore for the construction of a third launch pad at SDSC, Sriharikota.
Expected completion by 2029, this pad will support human spaceflight missions and the NGLV (Next-Generation Launch Vehicle).
Will act as a backup for the second launch pad and help with increased launch capacity.
Engine Testing
ISRO successfully tested the Vikas engine’s restart capability at the propulsion complex in Mahendragiri.
The engine fired for 60 seconds, stopped for 120 seconds, and restarted for 7 seconds.
Critical for future atmospheric missions, ensuring reliability and efficiency.
Aditya-L1 Data Release
On January 6, 2025, ISRO released the first data from its Aditya-L1 mission, which studies the sun.
The mission aims to better understand solar phenomena and their effects on the inner solar system.
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