In a remarkable achievement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully completed the docking of two SPADEX satellites, SDX-01 and SDX-02, in the early hours of January 16, 2025. This milestone makes India one of the few nations capable of performing in-orbit satellite docking, a critical advancement for future space missions.
Mission Details:
The docking involved two satellites: SDX-01, the chaser satellite, which actively approached the target satellite, SDX-02. The operation demonstrates ISRO’s progress in satellite servicing and orbital operations.
The satellites were launched aboard the PSLV-C60 rocket on December 30, 2024, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
Significance: This docking is an essential technology for India’s future space exploration and satellite servicing missions. It also positions ISRO as a key player in the global space community, able to perform complex space operations typically carried out by advanced space agencies like NASA and ESA.
This achievement is expected to pave the way for more ambitious projects, including the development of space stations and advanced in-orbit servicing technologies.