The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) SpaDeX mission saw two satellites come as close as three metres ⭕in a trial attempt for space docking before being delayed.
After coming close, the satellites are being moved back, the Indian space agency said. The satellites will then move closer to each other at a speed of 10 millimeteꦓrs per second, it said.
“A trial attempt was made to reach up to 15 meters, with further progress towards 3 meters. Following this, the spacecrafts are being moved back to a safe distance. The docking process will proceed after a thorough analysis of the data. Stay tuned for further updates,” ISRO said in a tweet on January 12.
This is the third time that the mission has been delayed. Earlier on January 8 ISRO delayed the process citing excessive drift during a crucial manoeuvre. Before that the space agency had pl❀anned it on January 7, which was cancelled and postponed.
The SpaDeX is a pivotal project, which is designed to develop and demonstrate the technology needed for spacecraft rendezv💦ous, docking, and undocking using two small satellites. "SpaDeX will serve as a milestone in advancing India’s capabilities in space docking, a critical technology for future space missions including satellite servicing, space station operations, and interplanetary missions,” ISRO said in an explainer earlier.
