In a feat of engineering and precision marvel, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully docked two SpaDeX satellites in space. This achievement marks a milestone for India's space program and places it among the elite group of nations capable of performing this complex maneuver.
ISRO shared the exciting news on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "India docked its name in space history! Good Morning India ISRO's SpaDeX mission accomplishes historic docking success. Proud moment to witness this moment."
This accomplishment followed a trial attempt on January 12th, where the two spacecraft were brought within three meters of each other and then safely separated. The actual docking process began when the satellites were bought from 15 meters to a 3-meter hold point. Then, with incredible precision, the docking was initiated, leading to a successful capture.
"Retraction completed smoothly, followed by rigidisation for stability. Docking successfully completed," ISRO announced.
With this success, India joins the ranks of the United States, Russia, and China as the fourth country to achieve space docking. This technology is crucial for complex space missions where multiple launches are required to achieve common goals.
Following the docking, ISRO confirmed that the two satellites were successfully controlled as a single object. ISRO also announced plans for undocking and power transfer checks in the coming days.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO and the entire space fraternity on this historic achievement, stating, "It is a significant stepping stone for India's ambitious space missions in the years to come."
The SpaDeX mission was launched on December 30th, 2024, aboard the PSLV C60 rocket. The rocket carried two small satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), along with 24 payloads. These satellites, weighing approximately 220 kg each, were placed into a 475km circular orbit.
ISRO described SpaDeX as a cost-effective demonstrator mission for in-space docking using two small spacecraft. This mission paves the way for more complex and space maneuvers in the future, etching India's position as a leading force in space exploration.
