PTI, Bengaluru: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully achieved satellite docking under its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDex). The space agency shared this historic accomplishment on social media, announcing that India has become the fourth country in the world to achieve such a milestone.
On January 12, during a docking trial, ISRO brought two satellites to within three meters of each other and then moved them back to a safe distance. This success follows the launch of the SpaDex mission on December 30, 2024.
Launched from Sriharikota
The mission involved the launch of two small satellites, SDX01 and SDX02, using the PSLV C60 rocket. The satellites were placed into a 475-kilometer circular orbit from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
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 (@isro) January 16, 2025
According to ISRO, the SpaDex mission demonstrates cost-effective technology for in-orbit satellite docking, using the two small spacecraft launched by PSLV. Docking technology in space is critical when missions require multiple rocket launches to accomplish complex objectives.
Congratulations from the Prime Minister
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO on its achievement. He wrote, “Congratulations to our scientists and the entire space community at ISRO for the successful demonstration of satellite docking in space. This is a significant step forward for India’s ambitious space missions in the coming years.”
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