ISRO may test space docking on Dec 26

THE Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is likely to conduct the much-awaited Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) on December 26, sources said on Thursday.

- SV KRISHNA CHAITANYA

ISRO Chairman S Somanath, soon after the successful launch of European Space Agency's (ESA) Proba-3 mission on Thursday, said the next launch would be PSLV-C60 which will demonstrate SPADEX.

"The rocket is ready now and we are waiting for the final phase of testing and activities," he said. The mission is to demonstrate India's capability to autonomously dock two spacecraft in orbit, a complex procedure mastered by only a few nations, including the United States, Russia, and China.

This experiment is crucial for ISRO's ambitions in interplanetary missions, human spaceflight, and the establishment of the space station.