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

ISRO successfully executes SpaDeX docking experiment, making India the fourth country to achieve this historic feat in space.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in the early hours of Thursday (January 16, 2025) successfully executed the SpaDeX docking experiment making India the fourth country after the USA, Russia and China this historic feat.

The two satellites SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target) which were launched by the PSLV C60 on December 30, 2024, successfully docked as the space agency officials from the Mission Operations Complex (MOX) at ISRO Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC) oversaw the complex docking procedure.

“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 posted on X.  

ISRO further added that post docking, control of two satellites as a single object is successful. “Undocking and power transfer checks to follow in coming days,” ISRO said.

Earlier this week, ISRO had moved the satellites within three metres in a trial attempt. It then moved the spacecraft back to safe distance.

The SPAeX mission is an important project by ISRO which is designed to develop and demonstrate the technology needed for spacecraft rendezvous, docking and undocking using two small satellites.

The demonstration of this technology is essential for futuristic missions such as sending an Indian astronaut on the Moon, sample return from the Moon, the building and operation of the Indian Space Station.