The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to conduct its much-awaited space docking experiment, SpaDeX, on January 7. The docking of the two satellites will occur between 9 am and 10 am, with satellite control being managed from the ISTRAC (ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network) facility in Bengaluru.

ISRO has announced that real-time visuals of the satellite docking process will be made available to the public. The twin satellites for the SpaDeX mission were launched into space on December 30 as part of the PSLV-C60 mission.

If successful, the SpaDeX mission will position India as the fourth nation to achieve docking technology, joining the ranks of the United States, Russia, and China.

SpaDeX mission is a cost-effective technology demonstrator mission for the demonstration of in-space docking using two small spacecraft launched by PSLV. The primary objective of the SpaDeX mission is to develop and demonstrate the technology needed for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft (SDX01, which is the Chaser, and SDX02, the Target, nominally) in a low-Earth circular orbit.

The technological challenge has been mastered only by a few countries and the indigenous technology used for this mission is called the "Bharatiya Docking System".

"The success of this mission is vital for India's future space ambitions," Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh had said earlier.

(With inputs from ANI)