ISRO Postpones SpaDeX Docking to January 9 for Further Ground Simulations
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has postponed the docking experiment for its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission from January 7 to January 9. The delay follows the identification of an abort scenario that necessitates additional validation through ground simulations, the agency announced on January 8.
The SpaDeX mission, launched on December 30, involves demonstrating in-space docking technology using two small spacecraft, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target). These satellites, weighing approximately 220 kilograms each, were deployed into a 475-kilometer circular orbit by the PSLV C60 rocket, which also carried 24 other payloads. The launch took place at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
According to ISRO, the SpaDeX mission serves as a cost-effective technology demonstrator for docking in space. This capability is critical for missions requiring multiple rocket launches to achieve shared objectives, including potential future lunar missions, sample return initiatives, and the proposed construction of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS).
The technology is considered a significant milestone for advancing India's space capabilities. ISRO aims to join a small group of nations with in-space docking expertise.
The postponement ensures thorough ground validation, a step deemed necessary for the mission's success. ISRO provided the update via a social media post and stated that the docking process would proceed following the additional simulations.