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ISRO marks historic achievement: successfully docks two satellites in space under SpaDeX mission on fourth attempt
January 16, 2025
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a remarkable milestone by successfully docking two satellites in space as part of the SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) mission.
As per India TV, this accomplishment places Bharat among an elite group of nations, including the United States, Russia, and China, that have demonstrated satellite docking capabilities.
The docking, completed on the fourth attempt, marks a significant step in Bharat’s journey towards advanced space exploration and modular space station construction.
The SpaDeX mission, which involved two satellites—SDX01 (the Chaser) and SDX02 (the Target)—successfully executed the docking maneuver after earlier delays.
Initial attempts on January 7 and 9 were postponed due to technical challenges.
However, on January 12, ISRO conducted a trial where the satellites were brought within three meters of each other before being moved apart for further safety analysis.
On Thursday, ISRO scientists carried out the final docking operation, confirming the success of the maneuver.
Launched on December 30 using a PSLV rocket, the SpaDeX mission involved two 220-kg satellites placed 20 kilometers apart in low-Earth orbit.
Over time, the satellites were maneuvered closer for a final docking.
This experiment serves as a technology demonstrator for critical future missions, including:
Chandrayaan-4: A lunar sample return mission involving docking between a re-entry and transfer module.
Bharatiya Antariksh Station: Bharat’s planned modular space station, set for deployment in 2028.
Human Moon Mission: Advanced docking systems required for a crewed lunar mission by 2040.
ISRO’s success in this mission not only validates its technical capabilities but also paves the way for future interplanetary explorations, space station assembly, and complex docking operations.
This achievement coincided with a leadership transition within ISRO, as V. Narayanan assumed the role of director on January 14.
Despite initial setbacks, the team’s determination and expertise ensured the mission’s success, showcasing the agency’s resilience.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the success, stating on X: “Congratulations to our scientists at @ISRO and the entire space fraternity for the successful demonstration of satellite docking in space.”
Union Science Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh also praised the accomplishment, calling it a breakthrough enabled by the indigenous Bharatiya Docking System.
This achievement enhances Bharat’s reputation as a leading spacefaring nation and strengthens its ability to conduct ambitious missions such as sample returns, modular space station construction, and human space exploration.
Docking involves bringing two spacecraft into the same orbit, aligning them, and joining them together, either manually or autonomously.
This technology is essential for missions requiring heavy spacecraft that cannot be launched in a single attempt.
It is also critical for setting up modular space stations and transporting crew and supplies to such facilities.
The first successful docking in space occurred in 1966, when NASA’s Gemini VIII spacecraft docked with the Agena target vehicle.
Commanded by Neil Armstrong, this mission was a pivotal moment in the United States’ efforts to advance human space exploration and ultimately land humans on the Moon.
The Soviet Union followed closely with its own breakthrough in 1967, achieving the first automated docking between two uncrewed spacecraft, Kosmos 186 and Kosmos 188.
This marked a significant step in demonstrating autonomous space capabilities.
China entered the space docking arena decades later.
In 2011, the country successfully demonstrated its docking capability when the unmanned Shenzhou 8 spacecraft docked with the Tiangong 1 space laboratory.
Building on this success, in 2012, China achieved its first crewed docking, as astronauts manually joined the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft with the same laboratory.
https://hindupost.in/science-technology/isro-marks-historic-achievement-successfully-docks-two-satellites-in-space-under-spadex-mission-on-fourth-attempt/
https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1879755467964256701
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OBGAiJrjJU