The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Thursday, January 16, successfully performed the docking of satellites as part of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) and the space agency also announced that post docking, control of two satellites as a single object was successful.
“India docked its name in space history! Good Morning India ISRO’s SpaDeX mission accomplishes historic docking success. Proud to witness this moment!,” ISRO said in a post on X.
With the successful docking of satellites, India has become the fourth country after US, Russia and China to accomplish the feat.
SpaDeX Docking Update:
— ISRO (@isro) January 16, 2025
🌟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.…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on ‘X’ greeted the scientists for the achievement. He said: “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.”
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 16, 2025
Further, ISRO said: “Post docking, control of two satellites as a single object is successful. Undocking and power transfer checks to follow in coming days.”
Earlier on January 12, ISRO brought the two spacecraft to three metres and then moved them back to safe distance in its trial attempt to dock the satellites.
ISRO had successfully launched the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission on December 30, 2024.
The PSLV C60 rocket carrying two small satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), along with 24 payloads, had lifted off from the first launchpad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, and about 15 minutes after liftoff, the two small spacecraft weighing about 220 kg each were launched into a 475-km circular orbit as intended.
According to ISRO, the SpaDeX mission is a cost-effective technology demonstrator mission for the demonstration of in-space docking using two small spacecraft that was launched by PSLV.
In space, docking technology is essential when multiple rocket launches are required to achieve common mission objectives.
President Droupadi Murmu said India’s space programme achieved a historic milestone with the successful docking of the two satellites and congratulated ISRO and its scientists for boosting the country’s space capabilities.
“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,” she said in a post on X.
“India’s space programme achieves historic milestone with the successful docking of the two satellites launched under Space Docking Experiment, SpaDeX!,” Murmu said.
