India has become the fourth nation in the world to successfully master space docking technology, following the successful docking of two satellites as part of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced the achievement on Thursday, positioning India alongside the United States, Russia, and China in the elite group of countries with space docking capabilities.
SpaDeX Successfully Docking
ISRO confirmed the successful docking of two small spacecraft: SDX01, the Chaser, and SDX02, the Target, each weighing approximately 220 kg. The docking occurred after the SpaDeX mission launched aboard the PSLV-C60 rocket from Sriharikota on December 30. The successful docking marks a significant milestone for India’s space program.
SpaDeX Docking Update:
🌟Docking Success
Spacecraft docking successfully completed! A historic moment.
Let’s walk through the SpaDeX docking process:
Manoeuvre from 15m to 3m hold point completed. Docking initiated with precision, leading to successful spacecraft capture.…
— ISRO (@isro) January 16, 2025
On Sunday, the two spacecraft approached each other, coming as close as three meters during a trial attempt. The spacecraft had initially been positioned 15 meters apart.
The spacecraft completed the docking maneuver, captured with precision, and then retracted for stability. ISRO announced the docking success with excitement, calling it a “historic moment” for the country.
SpaDeX Mission: Indigenous Technology Powers Docking Success
The docking technology used in the SpaDeX mission was developed indigenously by ISRO and has been named the ‘Bharatiya Docking System’. This technology includes several key components such as a docking mechanism, rendezvous and docking sensors, power transfer technology, and an inter-satellite communication link (ISL).
The system also incorporates inbuilt intelligence that allows the spacecraft to communicate autonomously, crucial for future space missions.
SpaDeX Docking Update:
Post docking, control of two satellites as a single object is successful.
Undocking and power transfer checks to follow in coming days.
— ISRO (@isro) January 16, 2025
ISRO has successfully developed this technology, which will significantly enhance India’s space exploration capabilities, especially for future human spaceflight and satellite servicing missions.
Impact On Future Indian Space Missions
The success of the SpaDeX mission establishes India’s capability in orbital docking, a crucial technology for upcoming space endeavours. This milestone will play a key role in India’s future space missions, including the Moon mission, the establishment of the Indian space station, and lunar missions like Chandrayaan-4.
Additionally, the docking technology will be vital for upcoming missions that do not rely on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) from Earth.
ISRO also plans to demonstrate the transfer of electric power between docked spacecraft, a technology critical for future applications such as in-space robotics and composite spacecraft control.
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