Docking technology is important in space when multiple rocket launches are required to achieve common mission objective.
On Friday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) released a video showing the successful docking of two satellites as part of its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX). With this achievement, India became the fourth country, after the US, Russia, and China, to successfully perform satellite docking.
The video showed the satellites coupling in space, followed by a message from ISRO’s new chairperson, V Narayanan, who congratulated the team for their success. ISRO announced that the docking of the two satellites (SDX-01 & SDX-02) took place on January 16, 2025, in the early hours.
Docking technology is important for space missions where multiple rocket launches are required to achieve a common goal. This experiment is crucial for India’s future missions, such as Chandrayaan-4, Gaganyaan, setting up a space station, and landing astronauts on the moon.
ISRO also mentioned that it will conduct undocking and power transfer tests in the coming days.
Last October, the government revealed plans to establish a space station, named the “Bharatiya Antriksh Station,” by 2035.
The SpaDeX mission was launched on December 30, 2024, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. ISRO shared on X (formerly Twitter), “India docked its name in space history! Proud to witness this moment!” The docking success came just days after a trial attempt on January 12, where the two spacecraft were brought to a 3-meter distance and then safely moved apart.
ISRO also explained the docking process, which starts by bringing the spacecraft from 15 meters to the 3-meter hold point.