SpaDeX countdown begins: ISRO's step toward space docking mastery
India is poised to achieve a major milestone in space. For the first time, it has decided to dock two spacecraft.
Image credits: Isro
SpaDeX Project
This project, called Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), is the art of joining two spacecraft together in space.
Image credits: Isro
Why is it so important?
ISRO is currently docking two spacecraft weighing only 220 kg. However, ISRO's dream is to build India's own station in space. This docking is important for that.
Image credits: Isro
India to become the 4th country
If India succeeds in this complex space project, it will become the 4th country to succeed in space docking. Only Russia, America, and China have this technology.
Image credits: Isro
Test at an altitude of 470 km
ISRO will conduct this test at an altitude of 470 kilometers from Earth. It will send a chaser and target spacecraft into space.
Image credits: Isro
Low-cost technology
The chaser spacecraft is named SDX01, and the target is named SDX02. ISRO has built this at a very low cost.
Image credits: Isro
Built in Bengaluru
These spacecraft were built at the UR Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru. VSSC, LPSC, SAC, IISU, and LEOS supported this.
Image credits: Isro
Launch Time?
ISRO has informed that SpaDeX will be launched at 10:15 tonight.
Image credits: Isro
How to watch live?
It will be launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) or Sriharikota Range (SHAR) in Sriharikota, and will be broadcast live on ISRO's YouTube page from 9:30 pm.