NEW DELHI: The successful docking of two Isro spacecraft in space on Thursday has paved the way for future space and outer space missions as India desperately needs a permanent station in space for parking its spacecraft before pursuing a long space journey.
The docking mission is a very challenging task as it involves reducing the inter-spacecraft distance between two fast-moving satellites till they unite.
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Though Chaser and Target satellites have been moving at a speed of 28,800 kmph or 10 times the speed of a bullet in space, they appear to be stationary due to zero relative velocity. Chaser then approached Target with progressively reduced inter-satellite distances of 5 km, 1.5 km, 500 m, 225 m, 15 m and 3 m, ultimately leading to the docking.
Only three countries — the US, Russia and China — have mastered this technology until now. India has now entered this elite club, becoming the fourth country to achieve this remarkable feat.
Isro scientists started work on the space docking experiment (SpaDeX) in 2016 with preliminary studies and hastened the work on the technology when PM Narendra Modi in 2023 had set deadlines for the indigenous space station by 2035 and manned mission to the Moon by 2040. On Thursday, the scientists were overjoyed when Chaser and Target, both weighing 220kg, docked in space after initial hiccups.
Lauding Isro scientists, the PM said the SpaDeX mission is a “significant stepping stone for India’s ambitious space missions in the years to come”.
“Congratulations to our scientists at @isro and the entire space fraternity for the successful demonstration of space docking of satellites,” he said on X. President Droupadi Murmu also congratulated Isro for the mission.
Space minister Jitendra Singh underscored that SpaDeX establishes India as a global leader in space docking technology. He also highlighted a significant collaboration between the Department of Biotechnology and Isro to explore the application of biology in space.
Singh also highlighted the significance of the indigenous ‘Bharatiya Docking System’ used for the docking experiment and emphasised that this milestone paved way for smooth conduct of ambitious future missions, including Bharatiya Antriksha Station, Chandrayaan-4 and Gaganyaan.”PM Sh@narendramodi’s continuous patronage keeps the spirits soaring…,” he posted on X.
Isro veteran Nambi Narayanan said, “It is something we all have been dreaming of for years. In every future mission, we will need to do docking for outer space missions. We have to perfect it. We have to be a master of the technology. It appears that we have become one since we achieved it gradually.” Former Isro scientist and Chandrayaan-1 project director Mylswamy Annadurai said besides playing a vital role in future missions, the docking technology could play a crucial role in managing space debris.
The primary objective of the SpaDeX mission is to develop and demonstrate the technology needed for rendezvous docking and undocking of two small spacecraft in a low-earth circular orbit. The objectives also include demonstration of the transfer of electric power between the docked spacecraft, which is essential for future applications such as in-space robotics, composite spacecraft control and payload operations after undocking.
The Indian industry is also upbeat about the mission’s success. “It truly opens doors to many possibilities, from furtherance of our space programs to establishment of our own space station in future. It also brings endless opportunities much closer, especially when our private space industry is moving forward and growing rapidly,” says Lt Gen AK Bhatt, director general, Indian Space Association (ISpA).
