India is poised to make history with its first-ever orbital docking attempt, scheduled for late Wednesday, January 8. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will broadcast the event live as twin satellites, part of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), aim to link up in low Earth orbit.
Originally launched on December 30, the SpaDeX satellites were expected to dock on January 6; however, ISRO postponed the rendezvous for additional checks. This mission marks a significant step for ISRO, demonstrating its automated docking technology, which is essential for future lunar missions and the planned Bharatiya Antariksha Station.
The SpaDeX mission will utilize a Chaser and Target spacecraft, each weighing 485 pounds, to test docking capabilities at an altitude of 290 miles. This achievement will place India among a select group of nations capable of mastering space docking.
In addition to the docking test, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) that launched SpaDeX also carried various experiments, including India's first space robotic arm, which will be tested on the spacecraft's exterior.
As India aims for a sample return mission to the moon's south pole by 2028, the success of SpaDeX will be crucial for future endeavors in automated docking technology.