ISRO successfully launched the SpaDeX mission. The mission shall attempt to dock two satellites each weighing around 220kg revolving at speed of 28,800km/hr, at about 470 km above the Earth. ISRO will carefully manoeuvre the satellites to reduce their relative velocities to a mere 0.036 km/hr, and merge these to form a single unit in space.
https://x.com/ISROSight/status/1873708115989778770
In addition, SpaDeX, because of its small size and mass, is even more challenging due to the finer precision required for the docking maneuvers compared to docking two large spacecraft.
If successful India shall join the club along with USA, China and Russia to have mastered the technology.
The technology is essential for ISRO's future planned missions of Chandrayaan 4 and Bhartiya Antariksh Station. The docking technology is vital for ISRO's Chandrayaan 4 mission to the moon, which aims to return samples to Earth from the lunar south pole. A sample-return vehicle will have to dock in lunar orbit to transfer to sample to a return capsule. The ability to dock autonomously is also required for space station construction and operation as ISRO develops it's human spaceflight program.
https://x.com/isro/status/1873799652472234411
https://x.com/ISROSight/status/1873768831111622680
ISRO's achievements have always been so inspiring. Kudos to the scientists and their unwavering dedication towards science and innovation.
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