Docking trial: ISRO succeeds in nudging two satellites close

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully docked two satellites in space for the first time. The satellites were brought within three meters of each other in a trial attempt. The space agency moved them back to a safe distance after analyzing data further. The SPaDeX mission aims to develop and demonstrate spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking technology using two small satellites. The satellites were carried to space from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on December 30. The docking experiment was postponed due to an unexpected drift between the satellites. The technology is essential for futuristic missions such as sending an Indian astronaut to the moon, sample return from the moon, and building and operating an Indian space station.