SpaDeX docking: ISRO arrests drift between satellites

“The drift has been arrested and spacecraft put in a slow drift course to move closer to each other. By tomorrow, it is expected to reach initialisation conditions,” ISRO said

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which had postponed the planned docking of the two SpaDeX satellites, has arrested the drift between the spacecraft.

“SpaDeX Docking Update: The drift has been arrested and spacecraft put in a slow drift course to move closer to each other. By tomorrow, it is expected to reach initialisation conditions,” ISRO posted on Thursday (January 9, 2025).

On Wednesday (January 8, 2025) hours before it was scheduled to carry out the SpaDeX docking experiment, ISRO said that the docking experiment which was scheduled to take place on January 9 has been postponed as the drift between the satellites was found more than expected.

“While making a maneuver to reach 225 m between satellites the drift was found to be more than expected, post non-visibility period. The planned docking for tomorrow is postponed. Satellites are safe,” ISRO had announced.

A few hours before this it had initiated the drift on the Spacecraft A to move closer from 500m to 225m.

This was the second time ISRO postponed the SpaDex docking experiment.

The docking of the two satellites was initially scheduled for January 7 but was postponed to January 9. Though ISRO said that the drift has been arrested, it has not announced the new date and time for the docking experiment.

Published - January 09, 2025 09:50 pm IST