India

ISRO makes history with successful SpaDeX satellite docking

SpaDeX satellites holding position at 15m, capturing photos and videos of each other.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has completed the docking of the SpaDeX satellites on Thursday.

“India has etched its name in space history! Good Morning India! ISRO’s SpaDeX mission successfully accomplishes historic docking. Proud to witness this moment!” ISRO shared on X.

This milestone follows a trial attempt on January 12, when ISRO successfully brought the two spacecraft within three meters of each other before safely separating them. The SpaDeX mission, which was launched on December 30, 2024, demonstrated a significant technological feat.

ISRO detailed the docking process in a post, stating that the maneuver began with the spacecraft moving from 15 meters to a 3-meter hold point before initiating the precise docking procedure, which led to successful spacecraft capture. The process was followed by retraction and stabilisation for structural integrity, ensuring the docking was successful.

India has now become the fourth nation, after the United States, Russia, and China, to achieve space docking.

Following the docking, ISRO confirmed the successful control of the two satellites as a single object, with undocking and power transfer tests to be conducted in the coming days.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO for the mission’s success, calling it an important step for India’s future space missions.

The PSLV C60 rocket, carrying the two small satellites SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), along with 24 payloads, lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh. The spacecraft, weighing around 220kg each, were placed into a 475 km circular orbit.

The SpaDeX mission aims to demonstrate cost-effective in-space docking technology using small spacecraft, a critical advancement for missions involving multiple rocket launches working toward a common objective.

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