Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India]: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a monumental feat by successfully completing its first satellite docking experiment, making India the fourth country to accomplish this advanced space technology milestone.
In a post on X, ISRO announced, “India became the 4th country to achieve successful Space Docking. Congratulations to the entire team! Congratulations to India.”
Dr. V. Narayanan, Secretary DOS, Chairman Space Commission and Chairman ISRO, congratulated the team ISRO.#SPADEX #ISRO pic.twitter.com/WlPL8GRzNu
— ISRO (@isro) January 16, 2025
The SpaDeX Docking Process
The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) demonstrated the precision and complexity of satellite docking, with manoeuvring from a 15-meter distance to a 3-meter hold point, followed by successful spacecraft capture. The process involved:
- Retraction and rigidisation for stability.
- Post-docking control of two satellites as a single object.
ISRO confirmed that undocking and power transfer checks are scheduled for the coming days.
Significance and Future Applications
Union Minister Jitendra Singh hailed the achievement, noting its significance for India’s ambitious space missions, including the Bharatiya Antariksha Station and Chandrayaan-4. He posted on X, “SPADEX has accomplished the unbelievable… docking complete… and it is all indigenous ‘Bharatiya Docking System.’ This paves the way for future missions, including Chandrayaan-4 & Gaganyaan.”
SpaDeX Project Director N. Surendran highlighted the docking mechanism’s importance for complex missions. “This experiment will prove crucial for future projects like the Bharatiya Antariksha Station and the Chandrayaan-4 mission, as the docking mechanism becomes an inevitable requirement,” he said.
Objectives of SpaDeX
The SpaDeX mission, launched aboard PSLV-C60 on December 30, 2024, aims to:
- Develop and demonstrate technology for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft (Chaser SDX01 and Target SDX02) in low-Earth orbit.
- Demonstrate the transfer of electric power between docked spacecraft.
- Enable future applications such as in-space robotics, composite spacecraft control, and payload operations post-undocking.
A New Chapter in Space Exploration
This achievement underscores India’s growing prowess in space technology, paving the way for advanced missions and global collaborations. With the successful execution of SpaDeX, ISRO continues to solidify its position as a leader in the global space community.