ISRO Achieves Successful De-Docking of SpaDeX Satellites in Space

ISRO successfully undocked the SpaDeX satellites, Chaser and Target, after 56 days of docking. The operation, held in a circular orbit, marks a pivotal milestone for India’s future space missions. This success places India among the few nations to achieve space docking, building capabilities for lunar missions and a proposed space station.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully achieved the de-docking of its SpaDeX satellites after 56 days of being docked. On March 10, 2024, at 9:20 AM, ISRO announced the successful undocking of the Chaser and Target satellites, each weighing 220 kg, marking a significant milestone for India’s aspirations in human spaceflight, lunar missions, and space station development. This operation took place in a circular orbit at an altitude of 460 km and a 45-degree inclination, with both satellites now orbiting independently in good health.

ISRO conducted an extensive analysis of the in-orbit performance leading up to the de-docking, revealing that the operation would take place between March 10 and 25. Ground stations in Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Mauritius closely monitored the entire operation. Future experiments with satellites are anticipated as part of ongoing projects.

Initially launched on December 30, 2023, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, the SpaDeX mission aimed to showcase the capability for docking in space. After three attempts, ISRO successfully docked the satellites on January 16, 2024, making India the fourth nation to achieve this alongside the United States, Russia, and China, with a project cost of ₹370 crore.

In a celebratory announcement, Union Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh expressed pride in the achievement, asserting, “Congrats team ISRO. And heartening for every Indian. SPADEX Satellites accomplished the unbelievable De-Docking… This paves the way for smooth conduct of ambitious future missions including the Bharatiya Antriksha Station, Chandrayaan 4 & Gaganyaan.” ISRO’s detailed groundwork included exhaustive simulations replicating on-orbit conditions, resulting in a cost-effective examination of space rendezvous, docking, and post-docking technologies.

The overarching goal of the SpaDeX mission is to enhance India’s capabilities in space docking, a crucial technology for future space explorations and missions.

The successful de-docking of the SpaDeX satellites represents a crucial development for ISRO, enhancing India’s capabilities in space docking technology. This milestone not only supports future ambitious missions such as those to the Bharatiya Antriksha Station and lunar explorations but also places India among the elite nations proficient in space docking. ISRO continues to pave the way for advanced space operations with ongoing experiments and meticulous planning.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com