SpaDeX Mission: ISRO Postpones Satellite Docking Experiment To 9 January—Here's Why

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has delayed the historic docking of two satellites from 7 January to 9 January.

In a post on X on Monday (6 January), ISRO said, "The SpaDeX Docking scheduled on 7th is now postponed to 9th. The docking process requires further validation through ground simulations based on an abort scenario identified today".

ISRO has yet to reveal the exact time for the docking process.

On 30 December 2024, ISRO successfully launched twin 220-kg satellites of the SpaDeX mission aboard its reliable Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), placing them into a 470-km circular orbit.

The docking manoeuvre, known for its complexity, has been successfully mastered only by China, the United States, and Russia.

ISRO's SpaDeX mission involved two satellites - Chaser and Target - separated by 20 km in a 470 km circular orbit.

Despite moving at a staggering speed of 28,800 kmph—ten times the speed of a bullet—the chaser and target satellites appear stationary relative to each other due to their zero relative velocity.

During the docking process, the satellites will be gradually brought closer together. The chaser satellite will reduce its distance from the target in stages: 5 km, 1.5 km, 500 m, 225 m, 15 m, and finally 3 m, ultimately leading to the docking of the two spacecraft.

After successful docking and rigidisation, electrical power transfer between the two satellites will be demonstrated before undocking and separation of the two satellites to start the operation of their respective payloads for the expected mission life of up to two years.

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