The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has made history by successfully docking the SpaDeX satellites, marking a major leap for India’s space technology. The focus keyphrase SpaDeX mission ISRO space docking represents a monumental accomplishment, as India becomes only the fourth nation to achieve this feat after the United States, Russia, and China.
The SpaDeX mission started when the PSLV C60 rocket launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on December 30, 2024. On board the rocket were two small satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), weighing approximately 220 kg each, as well as 24 payloads. The satellites were placed in a 475km circular orbit.
ISRO tweeted regarding the docking process on its new microblogging platform X, previously known as Twitter. ISRO said the sequence began with the satellites holding position at 15 meters and then advancing to a 3-meter hold point. Precision maneuvers followed, and it finally culminated in the successful capture and digitization of the spacecraft for stability.
PM Modi Congratulates for SpaDeX Docking By ISRO
The SpaDeX mission is another space docking mission done by ISRO, marking yet another first for the agency. ISRO said the two satellites would henceforth work as a single unit after the docking process.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to ISRO and the Indian scientific community, calling this milestone a “significant stepping stone” for future space endeavors. He lauded the SpaDeX mission as a demonstration of India’s growing leadership in space exploration.
This would also mean cost-effective space docking for ISRO as the use of small and efficient spacecraft shows the possibility of in-space docking.
The advance for the future would help reach orbit stations, or even in deep-space missions, through several rocket launches in one go.
Undocking trials along with power transfer checks would continue for ISRO during the upcoming days for its SpaDeX mission.
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