Watch India attempt an unusual space feat for the first time.

In an effort to advance its space program, India is preparing to achieve an unprecedented feat: the docking of two satellites in orbit. This event, which will take place tonight, is part of the SpaDeX experiment, designed to test crucial automated docking technologies for future lunar missions, such as the planned Chandrayaan-4.

The two satellites, launched on December 30, 2024, each weigh 485 pounds and are located in an orbit 290 miles above the Earth's surface. The Indian space agency, ISRO, has highlighted that this docking poses a considerable challenge due to the precision required compared to larger spacecraft. The SpaDeX mission is anticipated to serve as a precursor to the autonomous docking necessary for future lunar missions, which will not rely on the global satellite navigation system from Earth.

To mitigate this challenge, the satellites, named Target and Chaser, must reduce their relative speed to just 0.2 mph, while both travel at a speed of 18,000 mph. Following the docking, these satellites will conduct tests on energy sharing before separating and continuing operations with various instruments, including a high-resolution camera and a radiation monitor.

Additionally, ISRO has applied for a patent to develop an innovative spacesuit that will use a liquid cooling and heating system to keep astronauts comfortable by eliminating sweat. This suit is intended for use in future space missions, and the patent will be valid for 20 years.

On another note, NASA has released stunning images of the cosmic corona of a star cluster called NGC 602, located in the Small Magellanic Cloud. This cluster is being studied because the stars in this satellite galaxy contain fewer heavy elements, providing insights into the evolution of galaxies in the early universe.

In summary, these events highlight India's growing ambitions in space, as well as NASA's efforts to explore and better understand our universe.