The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) made a significant leap in space docking technology with its SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) mission. The mission involves two satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), designed to test and demonstrate spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking technologies. On January 12, 2025, ISRO successfully moved the satellites within three metres of each other and then moved them back to a safe distance for further analysis. This milestone places India on the path to becoming the fourth country after the USA, Russia, and China to achieve this complex space maneuver.
Mission Overview
- Name: SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment)
- Launch Date: December 30, 2024
- Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota
- Satellites Involved: SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target)
- Objective: To demonstrate rendezvous, docking, and undocking technologies critical for future space missions.
