ISRO Plans Another SpaDeX Docking in April, What Does It Mean For Chandrayaan-4 Mission

Science News: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for another SpaDeX docking mission in April this year, building on the success of the SpaDeX satellites docking conducted in January.

The space agency also informed that ISRO has now executed a pivotal operation of undocking of SpaDeX satellites in the very first attempt on March 13.  

SpaDeX Undocking Successful 

The undocking of the satellites took place in 460 km circular orbit with 45-degree inclination. The satellites are now orbiting independently and their health is normal, according to an official statement issued by ISRO.   

“While there were some issues during docking, we were cautious before undocking the two satellites, and it was done successfully in the first attempt. The next docking is planned after a month (in April),” ISRO chairman V Narayanan said. 

Satellite Docking Important For Chandrayaan-4 Mission

According to senior ISRO officials, the docking mission will assist in the Chandrayaan-4 mission and will also help in the space station. 

“It will even prove helpful in removing the debris,” the official said. 

Also Read: ISRO's SpaDeX Satellites Complete De-Docking

Chandrayaan-4 mission will be carried out to develop and demonstrate the technologies to come back to Earth after successfully landing on the Moon and also collect moon samples and analyse them on Earth.

This Chandrayaan-4 mission will achieve the foundational technologies capabilities eventually for an Indian landing on the moon (planned by year 2040) and return safely back to Earth.

Major technologies to execute the mission are docking/undocking, landing, safe return to earth and also accomplish lunar sample collection and analysis.