Picture : ISRO/ X
The two Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) satellites that the Indian Space Research Organisation is hoping to unite are at a distance of 1.5 km and will be brought much closer on January 11, the space agency said .
The SpaDeX space docking experiment has so far missed two publicly announced schedules, on January 7 and January 9.
‘Spacecrafts are at a distance of 1.5 km and on hold mode. Further drift to 500 m is planned to be achieved by tomorrow morning,’ ISRO said in a post on ‘X’.
SpaDeX Docking Update:
Spacecrafts are at a distance of 1.5 km and on hold mode. Further drift to 500 m is planned to be achieved by tomorrow morning.#SPADEX #ISRO
— ISRO (@isro) January 10, 2025
This announcement came a day after the space agency shared that the drift between satellites that had caused the postponement of the docking experiment for the second time had been arrested and they were put in a slow drift course to move closer to each other.
ISRO successfully launched the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission on December 30, 2024.
The PSLV C60 rocket carrying two small satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), along with 24 payloads, had lifted off from the first launchpad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, and about 15 minutes after liftoff, the two small spacecraft weighing about 220 kg each were launched into a 475-km circular orbit as intended.
🎥 Relive the Liftoff! 🚀
Experience the majestic PSLV-C60 launch carrying SpaDeX and groundbreaking payloads. Enjoy breathtaking images of this milestone in India’s space journey! 🌌✨#SpaDeX #PSLV #ISRO
📍 @DrJitendraSingh pic.twitter.com/PWdzY0B7nQ
— ISRO (@isro) December 30, 2024
After the launch, ISRO has been preparing for the docking, which requires multiple steps/stages.
Docking in space is a complex process, which so far has been mastered by only three other countries — the United States, Russia and China.
