SpaDeX Milestone: ISRO Hails ‘Historic Moment’ as India Becomes 4th Nation to Achieve Space Docking
- MGMMTeam
- Mar 13
- 3 min read
In a groundbreaking milestone, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully executed the docking of two satellites as part of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) on January 16, 2025. With this achievement, India joins an exclusive group of nations—alongside the US, Russia, and China—that possess this advanced capability.
This marks India’s first endeavor in developing and demonstrating autonomous in-space docking technology, a crucial step for future missions involving coordinated spacecraft operations. Such technology is essential for interplanetary missions and the assembly of India’s planned space station, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
The feat was accomplished using the indigenously developed Bhartiya Docking System, enabling the two satellites to approach each other at a controlled speed of approximately 10 millimeters per second.
ISRO Declares a Landmark Achievement
ISRO has been consistently sharing updates on the SpaDeX mission since its launch just over two weeks ago. On Thursday morning, it announced the successful docking.
“SpaDeX Docking Update:
Docking Success
Spacecraft docking successfully completed! A historic moment.
Let’s walk through the SpaDeX docking process:
Manoeuvre from 15m to 3m hold point completed. Docking initiated with precision, leading to successful spacecraft capture. Retraction completed smoothly, followed by rigidisation for stability. Docking successfully completed.
India became the 4th country to achieve successful Space Docking.
Congratulations to the entire team! Congratulations to India!” ISRO made an announcement on social media platforms, including X.
“SpaDeX Docking Update:
Post docking, control of two satellites as a single object is successful.
Undocking and power transfer checks to follow in coming days,” ISRO stated in a follow-up post on X.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended their congratulations to ISRO for the accomplishment.
“India’s space programme achieves historic milestone with the successful docking of the two satellites launched under Space Docking Experiment, SpaDeX! India is the fourth nation to have demonstrated space docking capability. This achievement paves the way for India's future endeavours in space exploration such as Chandrayaan-4, India's planned space station and Gaganyaan. Congratulations to ISRO and the entire scientists and engineers communities of the country for boosting India’s space capabilities,” President Murmu said on X.
Prime Minister Modi described it as a significant stepping stone for India’s future space missions. “Congratulations to our scientists at @isro and the entire space fraternity for the successful demonstration of space docking of satellites. It is a significant stepping stone for India’s ambitious space missions in the years to come,” he posted on X.
A Sequence of Intricate Moves
The PSLV-C60 rocket, carrying the groundbreaking Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on December 30, 2024.
As part of the mission, two specially designed satellites—SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target)—each weighing approximately 220 kg, were placed in a low-Earth circular orbit. After deployment, the satellites initially drifted 10-15 kilometers apart, allowing for thorough health checks and a series of intricate maneuvers.
On January 12, ISRO successfully brought the two spacecraft to within three meters of each other before moving them back to a safe distance in its trial docking attempt.
Beyond being a technological demonstration, SpaDeX serves as a crucial step in advancing India’s ambitious space initiatives.
The capability of autonomous spacecraft docking has far-reaching implications, including:
Human Spaceflight: Crucial for assembling and resupplying space modules.
Lunar Missions: Vital for upcoming lunar sample retrieval efforts and potential lunar habitats.
Space Station Development: A fundamental technology for constructing and sustaining the Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
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