Published: 09:53, January 7, 2025
India delays space docking experiment, saying more work needed
By Reuters
This handout photograph taken and released on Dec 30, 2024 by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) shows the launch of the ISRO PSLV-C60 rocket carrying two SpaDeX satellites SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. (PHOTO / AFP)

BENGALURU - India postponed by a couple of days on Monday a highly-anticipated space docking experiment that would see it become the fourth country in the world to achieve a feat essential for expanding future deep space exploratory missions.

"The docking process requires further validation through ground simulations based on an abort scenario identified today," the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said, without giving further details.

The technology was originally set to be tested on Tuesday morning local time.

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The experiment, crucial for satellite servicing, space station operations, and interplanetary missions, positions India to play a significant role in the commercial and exploratory frontiers of space.

The mission, launched on Dec 30 from India’s main spaceport, used an Indian-made rocket to deploy satellites into orbit.

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Among various payloads and experiments were eight cowpea seeds sent into space to study plant growth in microgravity conditions, which germinated and sprouted leaves.