(CLO) On January 16, India became the fourth country in the world to successfully test space docking, marking an important step forward in the country's space ambitions.
"Spacecraft docking completed successfully! A historic moment," the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) said on X.
The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), launched by ISRO on December 30 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, was a success as two satellites, Target and Chaser, each weighing about 220 kg, performed an in-orbit docking. After a complex process, they separated successfully, demonstrating India’s space docking capability.
This achievement not only demonstrates India's advanced technological capabilities but also expands the country's role in the global space market, which is expected to be worth $400 billion in the future.
India launched its first space docking mission on December 30, 2024. Photo: ISRO
This technology is not only meaningful in satellite maintenance but also in other important missions such as space station operations, national space station construction and interplanetary missions.
"To achieve ambitious missions, we need to have critical technology. Many missions, like building a space station, require assembly in space. This cannot be done without space connectivity," says astrophysicist Jayant Murthy.
Although the mission had to be postponed twice in early January due to technical issues and drift between satellites, the eventual success this time proved ISRO's perseverance.
The satellites have demonstrated the ability to transmit electrical power between them, a key element for operating space robots, controlling spacecraft and serving future missions.
Indian Space Minister Jitendra Singh said the docking technology will help India realize its grand plans like sending citizens to the Moon, building a space station and bringing lunar samples back to Earth.
This is a key part of India's space strategy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has set ambitious goals for the space sector.
In 2023, India joined the "club" of countries that landed a spacecraft on the Moon, becoming the fourth country to successfully carry out this mission. Recently, the Chandrayaan-3 mission collected samples from the Moon to help scientists study the formation of this celestial body.
In the future, India also aims to send astronauts to the Moon by 2040, build a space station by 2035 and develop missions to Venus and other celestial bodies.
Along with advances in space research and exploration, India is also pushing to commercialize its space industry, allowing private companies to participate in satellite manufacturing and launching small satellites into Earth orbit at reasonable costs. The Indian government aims to increase its space market share to $44 billion by 2040, from the current $8 billion.
SpaDeX is part of India's long-term plan to position the country as one of the world's leading space powers.
Ngoc Anh (according to ISRO, Reuters, CNN)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/an-do-lan-dau-tien-ghep-noi-thanh-cong-trong-khong-gian-post330671.html
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