ISRO Achieves Historic Feat with Successful Docking of SpaDeX Satellites in Space

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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a groundbreaking milestone on Thursday by successfully completing the docking of its SpaDeX satellites in space.

“India has etched its name in space history! Good Morning India! ISRO’s SpaDeX mission achieves historic docking success. A proud moment for the nation,” ISRO announced in a post on ‘X’.

This achievement follows a recent trial conducted on January 12, where the two spacecraft were brought to within three meters of each other and then safely separated, paving the way for the final docking attempt.

Details of the SpaDeX Mission
Launched on December 30, 2024, the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission marks a significant advancement in India’s space capabilities. The docking process, as shared by ISRO, involved a meticulous sequence of operations. It began with a maneuver to bring the satellites from a 15-meter distance to a 3-meter hold point, followed by precision docking, retraction, and stabilization.

“Docking completed successfully, with retraction and rigidization ensuring stability,” ISRO confirmed in its update. Post-docking, the agency also successfully demonstrated control over the two satellites as a unified system, with further undocking and power transfer tests planned in the coming days.

India Joins Elite Club of Nations
This historic achievement places India among an elite group of nations—joining the United States, Russia, and China—as the fourth country to master in-space docking technology.

Prime Minister’s Congratulations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded ISRO and the Indian space community for this remarkable accomplishment. “This is a monumental milestone and a stepping stone for India’s ambitious space missions in the years ahead,” he stated in a congratulatory message on ‘X’.

Technical Overview
The mission used the PSLV C60 rocket to launch two small satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), along with 24 payloads. These satellites, weighing approximately 220 kg each, were deployed into a 475 km circular orbit just 15 minutes after liftoff from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

The SpaDeX mission serves as a cost-effective demonstration of in-space docking technology using small spacecraft, a vital step for future missions that involve multiple rocket launches with shared objectives.

The Importance of Docking Technology
Docking technology plays a critical role in enabling complex space missions, such as assembling space stations, refueling spacecraft, and future interplanetary exploration. With SpaDeX, India has made a giant leap toward enhancing its capabilities in this domain, strengthening its position in the global space race.

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