ISRO successfully executes SpaDeX docking experiment; India joins elite club of nations

ISRO news: On Thursday (January 16, 2025) the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with the help of India completed the spadex docking experiment which it is the 4th country to achieve with the USA, Russia and China as former record holders. Together with the first experimental spacecraft SDX01 (Chaser) and the second one SDX02 (Target) that lift off on December 30, 2024, PSLV C60 was handed over to outer space. The technical team directed the whole docking process which took place with the space agency officials from the Mission Operations Complex (MOX) at ISRO Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC) during the complex docking procedure.

The SpaDeX docking process is worth explaining a bit: At 15m the spacecraft was manoeuvred to the 3m hold point and then the docking process was initiated with great precision enabling a successful spacecraft capture.

Next, retraction was conducted smoothly and the spacecraft was iridised for stability. The docking was successful and India became the 4th country to do successful Space Docking. The entire team is to be congratulated! India also must be congratulated! ISRO posted on X. ISRO has also reported that after the docking took place, the control of two satellites as a single object was conducted.

"The undocking and power transfer checks to follow in coming days," ISRO concluded. ISRO had already experimented with satellites within three meters away earlier this week which was a trial. They then returned the spacecraft to a safe distance.

The SpaDeX mission stands out from the other ISRO docking satellite projects as it is a research project mainly focused on the technology development required for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small satellites at a low cost. It is also necessary for the manned space missions on the Moon, sample return from the Moon, the building and operation of the Indian Space Station.

The isro space mission other objectives are including demonstration of the transfer of electric power between the docked spacecraft which is essential for future applications such as in space robotics, composite spacecraft control, and payload operations after undocking. According to ISRO, after the docking and undocking events, the spacecraft will be separated and used for application missions.