Bangalore: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has postponed the scheduled docking of its SpaDex mission, initially set for January 7 and later rescheduled for January 11, due to unexpected satellite drift detected during the launch. The docking was delayed after ISRO observed that the movement between the two satellites exceeded expectations during a maneuver to achieve a 225-meter distance. The satellite drift occurred after a non-visibility period, prompting the space agency to delay the planned docking.
In a post shared on social media platform X, ISRO confirmed that “while making a maneuver to reach 225 meters 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.”
The SpaDex mission, launched by ISRO on December 30, 2024, aboard the PSLV-C60 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Center, involves two satellites: SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target). Weighing about 220 kg each, the satellites were placed into a 475-kilometer circular orbit, with the goal of testing advanced space docking technologies. The mission aims to develop capabilities crucial for India’s future space endeavors, including the creation of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), lunar sample return missions, and potential human exploration missions.
SpaDex is designed to test the in-space docking technology, which is pivotal for assembling, docking, and unloading spacecraft in orbit. ISRO sees this mission as a vital step towards enhancing India’s space infrastructure. Success in these technologies would lead to improvements in satellite operations, space station missions, and interplanetary exploration.
In an official statement, ISRO described SpaDex as a significant milestone in advancing India’s capabilities in space docking, stating, “SpaDex will serve as a milestone in advancing India’s capabilities in space docking, a critical technology for future space missions.”
