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Wednesday, 12 February 2025 12.06 PM IST

ISRO's space docking experiment successful: India creates history

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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: India has achieved another milestone in its pursuit of emerging as a global power in space exploration. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) made history on Thursday by docking two satellites orbiting Earth. The success of the Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) mission makes India the fourth country to accomplish this feat, joining the ranks of the United States, Russia, and China.

The crucial docking took place early on Thursday. Two satellites, Chaser and Target, each weighing 220 kilograms, were successfully docked at an altitude of 476 kilometres above Earth. These satellites were launched on December 30 aboard the PSLV-C60 rocket. This success marks a major step toward India's dream of establishing its own space station. It also boosts missions like Gaganyaan, which aims to send Indian astronauts into space, and Chandrayaan-4, which plans to collect and study lunar surface samples.

The final docking operation was performed yesterday after conducting trial runs on January 6 and 9. Space docking is the process of one spacecraft 'reaching out' and physically joining another. ISRO employed the Androgynous Docking technique, which allows either spacecraft to act as the "Chaser" (follower) or the "Target" (stationary). ISRO's new chairman, Dr. V. Narayanan, confirmed the mission's success.

Crucial stages

  • Two satellites orbiting Earth were manoeuvred to approach each other by controlling their speed and trajectory, reducing their distance to just 5 kilometres.
  • Two days before docking, the distance was sequentially reduced to 1.5 kilometres, 500 meters, 225 meters, and finally 15 meters.
  • Early yesterday, the gap was reduced further from 15 meters to 3 meters, and finally to 1 meter.
  • Command processing, data reception, stabilization, and motor synchronization between the satellites were precisely coordinated. Once their systems aligned, the docking command was executed.
  • The satellites’ relative speed was reduced to 10 millimetres per second, ensuring precise alignment.
  • Mechanical latches on the satellites were connected, followed by retraction to form a single, stable unit.
  • Power transfer and data sharing between the satellites confirmed the success of the docking.


Achievements

  • Enables India to undertake large-scale space missions, strengthening its capabilities for human space exploration.
  • Boosts confidence for projects like Gaganyaan and India's own space station.
  • Provides momentum to missions such as Chandrayaan-4 and the ambitious goal of landing humans on the Moon.

December 30: Launch of twin docking satellites.
January 6: Satellites were maneuvered from a distance of 20 km to 500 meters.
January 9: Gradual approach reduced the distance to 3 meters.
January 11: First docking attempt halted due to signal interference.
January 16: Docking successfully completed.

Cost of SPADEX- Rs 125 crore
India accomplished this feat at the lowest cost, further cementing its reputation for cost-effective space missions.

TAGS: SPACE DOCKING, ISRO, INDIA
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