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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has begun working on SpaDeX-2, a more advanced docking experiment where two satellites will be joined in an elliptical Earth orbit. The mission aims to master in-orbit docking under more complex conditions.
Being able to dock two satellites in space is a big deal for India. It’s a key part of making missions like Chandrayaan‑4 and the future Bharatiya Antariksh Station possible, and it opens doors to even bigger space goals.
“Docking in a circular orbit is much easier than in an elliptical one. This is because trajectory and velocity remain constant in a circular orbit, while they keep changing in an elliptical orbit. This means calculations done for one point won’t be relevant after a few minutes,” said a scientist familiar with the matter, as reported by Indian Express. “This is, however, what the SpaDeX-2 experiment will attempt.”
In the first SpaDeX mission, ISRO successfully launched two 220-kg satellites into a 470-km circular orbit during its first SpaDeX mission. After introducing a slight relative speed, the satellites drifted apart and were gradually brought back together.
On January 16, the satellites docked successfully. The mission also showed they could share power and respond to commands as one unit—a big step for future space docking and coordination.
India became the fourth country, after the US, Russia and China, to achieve satellite docking in space with SpaDeX 1, though the test was conducted in a relatively simple circular orbit.
ISRO uses elliptical orbits for Moon missions, slowly raising altitude with engine burns to save fuel. To make such missions smoother and more advanced, docking in elliptical orbits is a skill India now aims to master.
SpaDeX-2 is still in the planning phase. ISRO has submitted its proposal and awaits approval. If cleared, the mission could be launched within the next three years, adding a critical layer to India’s space program.