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00:00ISRO's exciting moment is ahead of us because ISRO is going to test in-orbit docking mechanism
00:16technology, which it has indigenously developed.
00:21So as you know, on 30th December last, ISRO has launched twin satellites using the PSLV
00:28rocket into space.
00:31The orbit is 470 kilometres above the ground and the two satellites are given the same
00:38orbit around the earth.
00:40And however, ISRO made sure that a certain relative velocity was given between the two
00:48so that the two satellites, although they occupy the same orbit, but their separation
00:53increases to about 20 kilometres between them.
00:57Then the drift is arrested and then as these two satellites, separated by this distance,
01:04continue to orbit the earth.
01:06ISRO's idea is to test out in-orbit docking mechanism.
01:12So now, ISRO is getting ready to bring the two satellites gradually closer to each other
01:18while still maintaining the same orbit.
01:21So obviously, by itself, it looks so easy process as I described to you, but it's a
01:28very, very complicated process.
01:30Both the satellites are basically identical and each 220 kilograms and they are equipped
01:38with sensors and inter-satellite communication link as well as positioning processors.
01:47So there will be a guidance algorithm to bring them together and the two satellites
01:54have to be perfectly aligned and their velocity also is to be maintained.
02:01First of all, from 20 kilometres separation, the distance will be reduced to about 5 kilometres.
02:08After that, one and a half kilometres, then 500 metres and then 3 metres.
02:14At that time, the speed between the two will be maintained at about 1 centimetre per second.
02:19So you can imagine if you move your fingers on a scale and see for yourself how does it
02:29mean to be at the speed of 1 centimetre per second.
02:33So after the two satellites are docked, then ISRO is going to test the transfer of electric
02:39power between the two.
02:40And after some time, an undocking also will take place because both the satellites have
02:46their own payloads.
02:47A total number of 24 payloads are there, of which 14 payloads are ISRO's and 10 are from
02:55other institutions and engineering colleges.
02:57So there are many things to be tested out and one of the most important and interesting
03:04experiments is microbiological studies as well as how life is produced in space.
03:11So there are cowpea seeds, as we know them as lobia seeds, and they have already germinated
03:19after the launch within four days or so.
03:23So let's hope that all the experiments become successful because this docking mechanism
03:32is going to be of great use in future in human space flights and in-orbit servicing
03:40of the satellites and formation flying etc.