PSLV C60 rocket was launched on December 30, 2024, carrying two small satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target). Photo: www.isro.gov.in

The docking of the two Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) satellites scheduled for January 7 has been postponed to January 9.

“The SpaDeX Docking scheduled on 7th is now postponed to 9th. The docking process requires further validation through ground simulations based on an abort scenario identified today. Stay tuned for updates,” the ISRO said in a post on Monday (January 6, 2025).

The ISRO was scheduled to carry out the docking experiment of the two small satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target) in the early morning of January 7.

Following the launch of the PSLV C60 rocket carrying two small satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target) on December 30, 2024, ISRO Chairman S. Somanth had announced that the docking process could happen in another week. “The nominal time will be approximately January 7,” Mr. Somanth said.

The postponement of the docking experiment by two days is not a cause of concern if the experiment is executed within the window that lasts till January 10.

After the satellite launch, U.R. Rao Satellite Centre Director M. Sanakaran said the docking is expected between January 7 and 10.

With the SpaDeX mission, the ISRO aims to exhibit technologies needed for spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking using two small satellites which have been mastered by only an elite group of spacefaring nations.

The demonstration of this technology is essential for futuristic missions such as sending an Indian astronaut on the Moon, sample return from the Moon, the building and operation of the Indian Space Station.

New Delhi:

India will have its own space station by 2035, which will be known as “Bharatiya Antriksh Station”, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, said on Saturday.

He made the announcement at the signing of a landmark MoU between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), that aims to integrate biotechnology with space technology, heralding a new era of scientific innovation in the country.

The MoU outlines several key initiatives, including the establishment of a ‘Bharatiya Antriksh Station’ and the unveiling of the ‘BioE3’ (biotechnology for economy, environment and employment) policy.

According to the government, the collaboration will focus on areas such as microgravity research, space biotechnology, space biomanufacturing, bioastronautics, and space biology.

The minister lauded ISRO Chairman S. Somnath and Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Dr Rajesh Gokhale, for their efforts in making this collaboration possible.

“The public-private participation has been instrumental in the rapid growth of India’s space sector,” said Dr Singh, adding that the number of space startups has grown significantly, with nearly 300 startups now contributing to the space economy.

This partnership is expected to benefit the national human space programme and spur innovations in human health research, novel pharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine, and bio-based technologies for efficient waste management and recycling.

Dr Singh also acknowledged the Department of Biotechnology’s role in developing the first-ever DNA vaccine, which brought global recognition to India’s scientific capabilities.

In September, the Union Cabinet approved the fourth mission to the Moon and also gave a green signal for the building of the first unit of the Bharatiya Antriksh Station (BAS) by 2028. The government had envisaged an Indian Space Station by 2035 and an Indian to land on the lunar surface by 2040. Towards this goal, the Cabinet approved the development of the first module of BAS-1.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

As part of India’s ambitious plans in space, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has started work on setting up the country’s maiden space station at the earliest. ISRO chief S Somanath says the first modules of the space station may be launched in the next few years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set an ambitious goal for ISRO — India’s own space station, up and running by 2035. ISRO has already started developing technologies for the space station. The space station to be placed in a low earth orbit. The Bharatiya Antariksh Station could accommodate 2 to 4 astronauts in space. Only Russia, the US and China have sent space stations in orbit. India may become the fourth country to have an independent space station in space.

NDTV got exclusive access to an artist’s impression of the space station displayed at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.

Dr Unnikrishnan Nair, director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, says work is on in full swing and the plan is to use India’s heaviest rocket, Bahubali, or Launch Vehicle Mark 3 to hoist the components into an orbit of about 400 km from earth.

India hopes to do microgravity experiments in space, including astrobiology experiments, and use the platform to explore the possibility of habitat on the surface of the moon.

According to initial estimates, the space station could weigh about 20 tonnes. It would be made of solid structures, but inflatable modules could be added. The final version could well go to about 400 tonnes.

One end of the space station will be a docking port for the crew module and rocket that will ferry astronauts. India is developing a 21st century special docking port for this and it may well be compatible with the docking port of International Space Station.

Once completed, the Indian space station can have four different modules and at least four pairs of solar panels. It will also have a permanently docked safety crew module escape system for use in case of emergencies.

The main module will be equipped with an India-made Environmental Life Support and Control System and it will help generate oxygen and remove carbon dioxide and keep relative humidity at optimum levels.

As per the current drawings, in the first phase, there will be two large solar panels that would generate the power required to run the Bharatiya Antariksh Station.

As part of the space vision 2047, Prime Minister Modi directed that India should now aim for ambitious goals, including setting up the space station and sending the first Indian to the Moon by 2040.