Space ambitions: Isro enhances its space technological capabilities

Building a space station like the planned Bharatiya Antriksh Station also involves docking and undocking -- pre-fab modules must be slotted together in space

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) recently checked another key item off the long list of technological capabilities it needs to develop to further India’s space ambitions. The SpaDEx, or the space-docking experimental mission, successfully docked two satellites in space, managed the transfer of electrical power from one to another, and manoeuvred the combined vehicle as one object. After undocking (which is equally important) the two satellites will operate as separate units again. The two satellites, “Target” and “Chaser”, weighing around 220 kg each, were launched into slightly different orbits at the same time. They were then brought closer and