SpaDeX satellites drift apart, docking pushed for 2nd time

Chethan Kumar / TNN / Updated: Jan 08, 2025, 21:33 IST

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Isro postponed the docking of two SpaDeX satellites set for January 9. The satellites drifted too far apart during a maneuver on January 8. After the launch on December 30, Isro had been preparing for the docking. Docking in space is complex and only the US, Russia, and China have mastered it.

SpaDeX satellites drift apart, docking pushed for 2nd time

(Agencies photo)

BENGALURU: The two Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) satellites that Isro was hoping to unite early Thursday have drifted too far apart late Wednesday, causing a second postponement of the final procedure in three days.“While making a maneuver to reach 225m between satellites the drift was found to be more than expected, post non-visibility period. The planned docking for tomorrow (January 9) is postponed. Satellites are safe,” Isro said around 9pm Wednesday.The space agency had initiated the drift on the chaser spacecraft — the two satellites are designated chaser and target — at about 8:05pm.After the launch on December 30, Isro has been preparing for the docking, which requires multiple steps/stages, each of which was monitored from the ground and given a go-ahead before proceeding to the next.Also read: V Narayanan appointed new Isro chairmanOn January 6, a day before the first docking attempt was scheduled, Isro had found that the docking process requires further validation through ground simulations based on an abort scenario it identified on the day. And the docking was rescheduled for January 9.Docking in space is a complex process and so far, only three other countries — the US, Russia and China — have mastered it.Also read: Isro releases first scientific data from Aditya-L1 solar observatory

About the Author

Chethan Kumar

Chethan Kumar is a Senior Assistant Editor with the Times of India. Aside from specialising in Space & Science, he has reported extensively on varied topics, with special focus on defence, policy and data stories. He has covered multiple elections, too. As a young democracy grows out of adolescence, Chethan feels, there are reels of tales emerging which need to be captured. To do this, he alternates between the mundane goings-on of the Common Man and the wonder-filled worlds of scientists and scamsters, politicians and soldiers. In a career spanning nearly 18 years, he has reported from multiple datelines — Houston, Florida, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Sriharikota (AP), NH-1 (J&K Highway), New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Raichur, Bhatkal, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, to name a few — but is based out of Bengaluru, India’s science capital that also hosts the ISRO HQ.

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