ISRO makes history with successful docking of SpaDeX Satellites in Space
On Thursday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) completed a major milestone by successfully docking its SpaDeX satellites in space. The achievement marks a historic moment for India’s space program.
The SpaDeX mission, launched on December 30, 2024, focused on docking two small satellites in orbit. These satellites, named SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), were launched aboard the PSLV C60 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. They were placed in a 475 km circular orbit, about 15 minutes after liftoff.
ISRO first tested the docking maneuver on January 12, when the two spacecraft were brought to a three-meter distance and then safely separated. This trial run paved the way for the successful docking process completed on Thursday.
ISRO shared the details of the docking on X, explaining how the operation unfolded. It began with the spacecraft maneuvering from a 15-meter position to a 3-meter hold point. The docking was then initiated with high precision. After the spacecraft made contact, the retraction and rigidization processes ensured stability. The docking was completed successfully, marking a significant technological achievement.
With this success, India became the fourth country in the world, following the United States, Russia, and China, to accomplish such a space docking feat. The SpaDeX mission is a cost-effective demonstration that highlights India’s growing expertise in space technology.
Post-docking, ISRO confirmed that it successfully controlled both satellites as a single unit. The agency also announced that undocking and power transfer checks would follow in the coming days, ensuring that the operation was fully operational.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO and the entire space community for this remarkable achievement. He called it “a significant stepping stone for India’s ambitious space missions in the years to come.”
The SpaDeX mission serves as a cost-effective demonstrator for in-space docking technology. Docking is vital in space, particularly for missions that require multiple launches to achieve a common goal. This technology will play a crucial role in future space missions, especially as India continues to expand its space capabilities.
With the successful completion of the SpaDeX docking, ISRO has proven its ability to perform complex space operations. The success sets the stage for future advancements in space exploration and positions India as a key player in global space research.
