HELSINKI — India has successfully docked two spacecraft in orbit, marking a big achievement for its lunar and human spaceflight ambitions.
The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) launched on December 30 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The two spacecraft, SDX01 (the chaser) and SDX02 (the target), each weigh 220 kilograms and were sent into orbit about 475 kilometers above Earth.
Initially, the docking was expected to happen around January 7, but some unexpected drift in the satellites’ positions delayed the process. Thankfully, ISRO managed to complete the docking on January 15. They reported that the maneuver to transition from a 15-meter hold point to a 3-meter hold point went smoothly, leading to a successful docking.
With this accomplishment, India becomes the fourth country, after the United States, Russia, and China, to achieve docking in space. Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated this milestone with a post, commending ISRO and the entire space community for this success.
Dr. V. Narayanan, who recently took over the chairmanship of ISRO, also praised the team for their hard work. The SpaDeX mission is a part of India’s broader goal to establish independent human spaceflight capabilities with the Gaganyaan program. The first crewed flight is set for 2026, while uncrewed test flights are slated for 2025. India aims to set up the Bharatiya Antariksha Station in orbit by 2035 and achieve a crewed lunar landing by 2040.
This docking technology is crucial for future missions, including the Chandrayaan-4 lunar mission, expected to launch around 2027 or 2028. Docking will be essential for transferring lunar samples back to Earth.
The SpaDeX mission featured a unique, low-impact docking system designed for precision, working at a very slow approach speed of about 10 millimeters per second. It also utilized advanced tools, including a Laser Range Finder and special sensors, to ensure accurate docking.
Looking ahead, India aims for a busy year with ten orbital missions planned. This includes the upcoming launch of the NVS-02 navigation satellite using a GSLV rocket, which is slated for no earlier than January 26. The Indian government has also approved the construction of a Third Launch Pad at Sriharikota to boost future launch capabilities and support next-generation vehicles.
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