India successfully docks spacecraft in Earth orbit

India has successfully docked two spacecraft in Earth’s orbit, a crucial capability for upcoming missions. The nation plans to construct a space station in the coming decades and send astronauts to the moon.

To date, only the United States, Russia, China, and the European Space Agency (ESA) have demonstrated this docking technology. The mission, named the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDex) by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), involved two small spacecraft, Target and Chaser, each weighing approximately 220 kilograms.

They were launched on December 30 from Andhra Pradesh using an Indian PSLV rocket. Today, the spacecraft approached each other cautiously before docking at a distance of three meters, even transferring electricity between them.

The success was announced on X. Indian Prime Minister Modi congratulated ISRO, calling it a significant step forward for India’s ambitious space missions. These plans include satellite maintenance, establishing a space station by 2035, and retrieving lunar soil with a robotic explorer.

In recent years, India has achieved notable space successes, including a Mars orbiter and a lunar lander near the moon’s south pole. Future missions include another moon mission in 2027 and a Venus probe in 2028, as well as a commercial program focused on launching small satellites into low Earth orbit.

India aims to send humans to the moon by 2040. The space agency ISRO is taking its time, with the Gaganyaan rocket for the manned program set to be tested this year, and the first Indian astronauts, or vyomanauts, expected to launch in 2026.

By 2040, India’s ambitious plans aim to have its citizens walk on the moon, positioning the nation to compete with countries like China, which also has an ambitious space program.

Source: NOS

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