Originally slated for January 9, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has once again delayed the planned docking of its SpaDeX satellites. Due to unanticipated satellite drift during maneuvers meant to bring the two satellites closer together, there was an earlier rescheduling from January 7. Following a period of non-visibility during which ground stations were unable to track the satellites, the drift was determined to be greater than anticipated.
In an effort to cut the distance between the two satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), from 500 meters to 225 meters, ISRO stated that they ran into problems that required additional ground simulations to guarantee accuracy prior to the docking. The two satellites are currently separated by about 600 meters and are safe.
India is one of the few nations with space docking technology, which is crucial for upcoming missions with large payloads and intricate operations like the Bharatiya Antariksha Station, which is scheduled for 2028. This is why the SpaDeX mission is important.
