ISRO achieves milestone with successful space docking experiment launch

"And we hope that the docking process can happen in another week and the nominal time is going to be approximately January 7," he said in his address from the Mission Control Centre.In this mission, the very important part is the POEM-4 with 24 payloads from startups, industries, academia and also from ISRO centres, he said.These are scheduled to be fired on Tuesday morning. Scientists would work through the night to ensure that the POEM-4 reaches the desired orbit level to perform the operation, Somanath said.Later, talking to reporters at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Somanath said the PSLV-C60 mission placed the two SpaDeX satellites weighing 220kg in a circular orbit and 475 km as against the projected 470 km and this mission also has the POEM-4 which has 24 payloads to perform research and development. "I believe this is not the first SpaDeX and there will be many more SpaDeX varieties including complex versions of docking systems in the coming days," he said.Mission Director M Jayakumar said, "Hearty congratulations to the team ISRO for venturing into the exciting domain of Space Docking and this Mission once again has POEM-4. So, after the first launch, the Satish Dhawan Space Centre team was quick in raising to the occasion," he said.Surendran said, "I would like to congratulate the PSLV team for the successive successful launch of PSLV in a month, it is a record, we have also placed our twin babies in a perfectly circular orbit, as per our requirement. "I am happy to say that our solar panels are successfully deployed and the spacecraft are on their journey and holding their wings towards the docking and it is expected to happen around January first week," he said.As you are aware the space sector is going through a phase to enable private players to meet the growing demands, as per the policy guidelines, SpaDeX was assembled and integrated here for the first time, he said.Dubbed as a prelude to the ISRO setting up its own Space Station by 2035, the PSLV-C60 mission would also make India join an elite club in achieving this feat which is expected to take place in the coming days.The 44.5-metre-tall rocket carried two spacecraft -- Spacecraft A and B, each weighing 220 kg which would help in space docking, satellite servicing and interplanetary missions.After the culmination of the 25-hour countdown which commenced on Sunday, the rocket lifted off at 10 pm from the First Launch Pad at this spaceport, emanating thick orange-coloured fumes and thunderous sound in the island, located about 135 km east of Chennai.According to ISRO scientists, the two spacecraft-Spacecraft A or the 'Chaser' and Spacecraft B or the 'Target' would be merged together later at an altitude of about 470 km after travelling at the same speed and distance.By mastering the docking technologies, ISRO is set to enhance its operational flexibility and also expand its mission horizons.This technology is essential for some of India's space ambitions like Indian on the Moon, getting samples from the Moon, and building and operating the Bharatiya Antariksh Station.