Isro’s SpaDeX: India successfully conducts historic space-dock test

S Somanath, who headed Iso when SpaDeX (short for Space Docking Experiment) was launched and oversaw its progress until his retirement a few days ago, has described docking as a “complicated process” that requires extreme precision and coordination.

To begin with, the two spacecraft must be in the same orbit in order for the Chaser to begin approaching the Target.

On Thursday morning, the scientists began by gradually reducing the speed of the two spacecraft – bringing them closer together until they were only 3 meters apart. Then their connectors are latched together.

In the next step, the two spacecraft are screwed in perfectly, creating an airtight passage to safely transfer materials or crew, completing the docking space.

Isro officials told the BBC that over the next two-three days, the mission will carry out what is billed as one of its most important experiments – it will transfer electrical power from the Chaser to the Target.

This, Ms. Mitra said, is to show that spacecraft can be sent to serve others in space.

The experiment will then demonstrate “undocking and separation of the two satellites”.

Ms Mitra said the mission will also test India’s inter-satellite communication capabilities as during docking and undocking, the spacecraft will need to communicate with the Earth station and also with each other so that they know each other’s position and speed.