SpaDeX Mission Successful: India Joins the Group of Elite Nations of Space Technology

ISRO accomplished its first-ever satellite docking maneuver early Thursday, January 16, which is a significant milestone for India's space capabilities. This is being seen as a precursor to several upcoming missions, such as Chandrayaan-4 and the nation's own space station.

The SpaDeX satellites' docking procedure was successfully finished by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on Thursday made India stand in line with several developed countries.

India in Line With US, Russia, China

By doing this, India has started down the path to becoming one of the select few countries that can boast of having such technology, along with the US, Russia, and China. Before claiming to have mastered the technology, ISRO will need to conduct a number of further docking experiments.

ISRO’s Future Plan with SpaDeX Mission

Chandrayaan-4 Mission: ISRO's first mission to use docking technology could be Chandrayaan-4. The mission aims to collect samples from the Moon and safely return them to Earth.

Re-entry Module: The mission will involve docking the re-entry module with the transfer module, which will carry the lunar samples back to Earth.

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SpaDeX Mission Key Highlights

• The docking process was carried out using a robotic arm, designed to capture and dock with the target satellite.
• A key mission goal is to transfer power between satellites after docking, crucial for future robotic missions and the Indian Space Station.
• The SpaDeX mission successfully tested free-space technologies, including satellite rendezvous and post-docking activities.
• This achievement positions ISRO as a global leader in space research.
• It paves the way for new opportunities in satellite servicing and collaborative space missions.

Launched on December 30, the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) involved the unification of two independently launched spacecraft at an orbital altitude of around 475 km. The final commands were given from the Isro Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (Istrac) in Bengaluru.

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