SpaDeX Mission Successful, India Becomes 4th Country to Achieve Space Docking
SpaDeX mission has been successfully executed by ISRO taking India to the elite club. SpaDeX mission is technology demonstrator for the docking process in space.
Deeksha Dixit16 Jan, 2025
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SpaDeX mission is now a success, with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) completing the docking process of two satellites, Chaser and Target, on January 16, 2025. This achievement makes India the fourth country to execute an unmanned docking in space.
Due to technical issues earlier two schedules were missed by ISRO before finally achieving this feat. SpaDeX mission highlights India's ability to perform complex tasks such as satellite docking, a crucial step for future missions.ISRO Achieves Success with SpaDeX Mission
On January 16, 2025 , ISRO announced the successful completion of its SpaDeX mission, making India one of the few nations capable of space docking. This achievement places India as the fourth country, after the United States, Russia, and China, to successfully perform this complex operation. The President of India took to the social media platform ‘X’ to congratulate the team on this landmark feat:
What is the SpaDeX Mission?
The SpaDeX Mission, or Space Docking Experiment , was launched with PSLV-C60 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The mission involved two small satellites, Chaser and Target, which were designed to autonomously perform docking maneuvers in low Earth orbit. To begin the mission, a relative velocity was given between the Target and Chaser spacecraft at the time of their separation from the launch vehicle. As the mission progressed, the distance between the Chaser and Target gradually decreased, going from 5 km to 3 m, at which point the docking was successfully completed .
Image Credit: PSLV C60/SPADEX Image Gallery (isro.gov.in)
What is Space Docking?
According to NASA, docking is defined as “mating operations where an active vehicle flies into the mating interface under its own power. ” Space docking is the process in which a spacecraft maneuvers and attaches to another space object on its own in space. This operation is essential for missions like satellite servicing, assembling larger spacecraft, and future human spaceflights.Bharatiya Docking System
The Bharatiya Docking System (BDS) is an indigenous technolo gy developed by ISRO for spacecraft docking operations. It was successfully used in the SpaDeX mission, marking an important achievement for India's space program. The BDS allows precise maneuvering and connection between two spacecraft in orbit , paving the way for future missions that need docking technology.SpaDeX Launch Details
The SpaDeX mission was launched on December 30, 2024, and involved two small satellites, Chaser and Target, performing autonomous docking maneuvers in low Earth orbit. The docking process was completed on January 16, 2025. Here are key details about the mission:| SpaDeX Launch Details | |
| Mission Name | SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) |
| Launch Date | December 30, 2024 |
| Docking Date | January 16, 2025 |
| Launch Vehicle | PSLV-C60 (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) |
| Launch Site | Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh |
| Orbit Details | 470 km circular orbit at 55° inclination |
| Mission Life | Up to two years post-docking operations |
| Spacecraft Details | Two small spacecraft: SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), each weighing ~220 kg |
| Technologies Developed for this Mission |
|
| Next Process | Electrical power transfer, undocking, and separation |
ISRO SpaDeX Mission Objectives
The primary goal of the SpaDeX mission is to develop and demonstrate the technology required for rendezvousing, docking, and undocking two small spacecraft in a low-Earth circular orbit. Other objectives include:- Demonstrating the transfer of electric power between the docked spacecraft.
- Testing composite spacecraft control
- Conducting payload operations after undocking.
Significance of SpaDeX Mission
The SpaDeX mission success is important for future space exploration due to several key reasons:- Advancement in Space Technology: It highlights India’s growing capabilities in orbital operations, which will support future missions.
- Cost-Effective Technology: The mission demonstrates ISRO's ability to develop advanced technologies for complex space tasks without significant expenses.
- Foundation for Future Missions: The successful development of docking technology opens the door to more ambitious projects, such as satellite servicing and the potential creation of a space station.
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SpaDeX Mission FAQs
What is the full form of SpaDeX?
SpaDeX stands for Space Docking Experiment.
When was the SpaDeX mission launched?
The SpaDeX mission was launched on December 30, 2024.
Which country successfully completed the SpaDeX mission?
India successfully completed the SpaDeX mission on January 16, 2025, making it the fourth country in the world to achieve space docking technology, following the United States, Russia, and China.
What technologies were developed for the SpaDeX mission?
The mission developed technologies such as the docking mechanism, rendezvous and docking sensors, power transfer technology, and an autonomous docking strategy.
Was ISRO's SpaDeX mission successful?
Yes, ISRO's SpaDeX mission was successful on January 16, 2025.
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