BENGALURU: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has postponed the much-awaited docking of two satellites under the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission citing that the drift of one satellite towards the other was “more than expected”.
Earlier, the exercise was scheduled to take place on January 7, but was postponed to January 9. However, on Wednesday evening, ISRO took to X, stating: “Initiated the drift on the Spacecraft-A to move closer from 500m to 225m.”
Following this, another post read: “While making a maneuver to reach 22m 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 (sic).”
On December 30, 2024, ISRO PSLV-C-60 launched two satellites at an inclination of 55 degrees to the equator. The SpaDeX mission, undertaken at the cost of Rs 375 crore, was aimed at achieving a successful autonomous docking of two unmanned spacecraft in space — SDX01, known as Chaser, and SDX02, called Target, each weighing 220 Kg.
They were released at intervals with the Chaser having a marginally higher velocity than the Target spacecraft to enable the former to close in on the latter and dock on January 7.
Don’t know whether it will happen: Scientist
Post docking, electrical power transfer between the two spacecraft was to be demonstrated before separation of the two to begin operations of their respective payloads for an expected mission life of up to two years.
Union minister for state for Department of Space, Jitendra Singh, was scheduled to attend the docking at ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network campus in Bengaluru on Thursday. This is also scheduled to be cancelled now, said an ISRO official.
ISRO officials said docking is crucial as it helps facilitate transfer of astronauts and equipment from one spacecraft to the other spacecraft that it has docked with. That has not happened in this case due to excess drift among the satellites.
An ISRO scientist, privy to the happenings, told TNIE when asked when it would happen, said, “We don’t know whether it is going to happen.” However, that has not been officially admitted.