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#spadex

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(Contd.) ISRO informed on X that #SpaDeX satellites undocked successfully today.

Journalist Arun Raj notes that inter-satellite power transfer has not been demonstrated yet. Another docking attempt will be made soon and they'll try to demonstrate power transfer objective as well.

India’s Space Docking and Chinese Reactions

The Chinese reactions to India’s Space Docking Experiment has been vitriolic. While their media has grudgingly acknowledged the achievement, the reaction from the public and those who have watched the video has bordered on hostility. Many have said that the space docking has been a fake. One has gone on to acknowledge its success and has felt the need to contain India militarily. In his opinion, India will put this knowledge to military use against China and hence it must be contained. Resultantly, one has had to respond to these reactions with reaction and proof of docking from the space community in Switzerland. Watch Both the short videos to get a holistic idea.

https://youtu.be/8MjbnMMTNQIhttps://youtu.be/XLClmlLdTp8

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Per news reports #SpaDeX sats might undock today and reattempt docking to improve precision. This time satellites will only be moved 100 meters apart.

indianexpress.com/article/long

timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sc

ISTRAC overpasses are at 0215 and 0350 IST, 21 January.

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ISRO has released a video of the successful docking of the twin SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) spacecraft, performed during the early hours of 16 January, 2025.

The graphics below shows a screen-shot from the monitoring display around the time of capture and a pic of the view from each satellite shortly thereafter.

Video of the docking and the celebrations at ISRO at youtube.com/watch?v=9REPYHXjBI
#ISRO #SPADEX
9/n

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Short badly put together official video of docking..

isro.gov.in/spadex_docking.html

But some clarity on spacecraft roles and timings.

SDX02 = Chaser
SDX01 = Target

Entry : At 00:49:25 UTC (06:19:25 IST) on 16 Jan 2025

Capture : Before 00:50:30 UTC (6:20:30 IST) on 16 Jan 2025

Retract : Before 00:57:50 UTC (6:27:50 IST) on 16 Jan 2025

www.isro.gov.inISRO successfully completed docking of two SPADEX satellites (SDX-01 & SDX-02) in the early hours of 16 January, 2025.

India’s space docking mission a success; fourth country to achieve this feat

Indian Space Research Organisation said the aim of the mission was to “develop and demonstrate the technology needed for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft”.......

This was originally posted on India Weekly. Read the detailed report here:

indiaweekly.biz/indias-space-d

#SpaDeX update

"Spacecraft docking successfully completed! A historic moment.

Let’s walk through the SpaDeX docking process:

Manoeuvre from 15m to 3m hold point completed. Docking initiated with precision, leading to successful spacecraft capture. Retraction completed smoothly, followed by rigidisation for stability. Docking successfully completed."

x.com/isro/status/187974911975

India is the 4th country with space docking capability after US, Russia, and China.

X (formerly Twitter)ISRO (@isro) on XSpaDeX Docking Update: 🌟Docking Success Spacecraft docking successfully completed! A historic moment. Let’s walk through the SpaDeX docking process: Manoeuvre from 15m to 3m hold point completed. Docking initiated with precision, leading to successful spacecraft capture.
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(Contd.) Still holding at 1.5 km separation

"The last SpaDeX update from South America for today. Estimated distance between the two spacecraft: ~1.5 km. Recorded at 2025-01-14, 09:38:47 UTC."

bsky.app/profile/s2a-systems.b

Here's the 15 January #SpaDeX pass ovee ISTRAC at 5:20 (IST). As pass-overs are shifting to early morning so this is would likely be last attempt before lighting conditions become unfavorable for docking..

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(Contd.) They appear to be going for it as docking window nears its end!

‪s2a systems‬ ‪on bsky

"SpaDeX A & SpaDeX B on 2025-01-13, 17:55:56 UTC during this evening’s high elevation pass over Australia. Estimated distance between the two spacecraft near max elevation: ~1.6 km."

bsky.app/profile/s2a-systems.b

Bluesky Social · s2a systems (@s2a-systems.bsky.social)SpaDeX A & SpaDeX B on 2025-01-13, 17:55:56 UTC during this evening’s high elevation pass over Australia. Estimated distance between the two spacecraft near max elevation: ~1.6 km.
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(Contd.) After aborted docking attempt yesterday the #SpaDeX sats were moved as far away as ~10.6 km. Now they are closing in again and are ~2.6 km apart.

bsky.app/profile/s2a-systems.b

#ISRO has limited time of next few days for fourth attempt and after that the combination of right illumination conditions and ground station pass-over will change and they'll might have to wait till March for attempting further.

indiatvnews.com/science/isro-s

Bluesky Social · s2a systems (@s2a-systems.bsky.social)SpaDeX A & B on 2025-01-13, 08:33:51 UTC over South America. Estimated distance between the two spacecraft near max elevation: ~2.6 km.