BENGALURU, Jan 8 : The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday evening announced a delay in the planned docking of its SpaDeX mission, citing an unexpected drift during a crucial maneuver to bring the SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target) satellites to a 225-meter separation.
“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,” ISRO stated on X.
The two satellites, currently 600 meters apart, were scheduled to perform India’s first in-orbit docking on Thursday at 8:00 AM IST. This ambitious mission aims to place India among a select group of nations capable of executing such advanced space operations, showcasing ISRO’s technological prowess.
Launched on December 30, 2024, the SpaDeX satellites began their journey approximately 20 kilometers apart. Meticulous maneuvering has since brought them within close proximity, marking significant progress in space navigation.
The docking process involves inter-satellite communication via a radio frequency link, ensuring precise alignment through real-time data exchange. While the delay allows for further validation, the mission underscores India’s growing expertise in space technology, paving the way for future lunar missions and the development of a potential space station.
The SpaDeX mission has attracted global attention for its cutting-edge advancements in automated docking systems, expected to contribute significantly to interplanetary explorations. As ISRO works towards rescheduling the docking, the global space community watches closely, anticipating another milestone in India’s remarkable journey in space exploration.
(UNI)
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