ISRO SPADEX: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched the mission SPADEX last Monday (30 December 2024). ISRO is now planning to do its ambitious space docking using two satellites in Earth’s orbit, which was scheduled for Thursday (January 9, 2025), but it had to postpone it. Earlier the docking was to take place on January 7 but even then it had to be postponed.
If ISRO succeeds in its mission, India will become the fourth country in the world to have space docking technology. The PSLV C60 rocket carried two small satellites – SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target) and 24 payloads and took off from the first launchpad of the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota. About 15 minutes after launch, two small spacecraft weighing about 220 kg each were released into a 475 km circular orbit.
While making a maneuver to reach 225 m between satellites the drift was found to be more than expected, post non-visibility period.
The planned docking for tomorrow is postponed. Satellites are safe.
Stay tuned for updates.#ISRO #SPADEX
— ISRO (@isro) January 8, 2025
Why is this mission important?
According to ISRO, the SpaceX mission is a cost-effective technology demonstration mission to demonstrate in-space docking using two small spacecraft. This technology is essential for India’s space ambitions such as reaching the Moon, returning samples from the Moon, construction and operation of the Indian Space Station (BAS).
The space agency said the ‘Space Docking Experiment’ (SPADEX) is an important project designed to develop and demonstrate the technology required for rendezvous, docking and undocking of spacecraft using two small satellites.
ISRO said, “Spadex will prove to be a milestone in advancing India’s capabilities in space docking. Space docking is a critical technology for future space missions including satellite servicing, space station operations and interplanetary missions.”
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