ISRO Makes History with Successful SpaDeX Satellite Docking
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India has etched its name in space history with ISRO’s successful Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission. In a post on X, ISRO announced the achievement, saying, “India docked its name in space history! Good Morning India ISRO’s SpaDeX mission accomplishes historic docking success. Proud to witness this moment!” This milestone marks India as the fourth country to achieve a successful space docking, following the United States, Russia, and China.
The historic docking was accomplished just days after a trial maneuver on January 12, where ISRO brought the two spacecraft to within three meters of each other before separating them again. The SpaDeX mission, launched on December 30, 2024, involved two small satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), which were carried into orbit by the PSLV C60 rocket. The launch also included 24 payloads and took place at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
ISRO detailed the docking process on X, explaining that it began with maneuvering the spacecraft from a 15-meter distance to a three-meter hold point. This was followed by precise docking, smooth retraction, and rigidization to ensure stability. Post-docking, the agency successfully demonstrated control of the two satellites as a single unit, with undocking and power transfer checks scheduled in the coming days.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO and the space community, calling the achievement “a significant stepping stone for India’s ambitious space missions in the years to come.” According to ISRO, the SpaDeX mission is a cost-effective demonstrator to showcase in-space docking technology, an essential capability for complex missions involving multiple rocket launches aimed at common goals.
With this success, ISRO has set a strong foundation for future advancements in space exploration and interplanetary missions.
