ISRO SpaDeX Docking Mission Live Updates: Ahead of the docking experiment, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) conducted a trial attempt with both the SpaDeX satellites — Chaser and Target — coming as close as 3 meters to each other. However, the satellites were then moved apart to safer distances with ISRO saying that the docking process will only be done after analysis of the data.
What’s the docking mission about? The mission, launched on December 30, aims to demonstrate in-space docking using small spacecraft. If the mission turns successful, India will be the fourth nation in the world – after the US, Russia and China – to master the complex technologies that are crucial for its future missions such as bringing samples from the Moon, setting up its own space station by 2035, and sending a human to the Moon by 2040.
Why is ISRO being cautious? Docking two moving satellites in space is a complicated operation, so it is no surprise ISRO is being cautious. Since this is just a technology demonstration mission, getting it right is more important that getting it done on schedule.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
