Synopsis
Prime Minister Modi highlighted the successful satellite docking of the SpaDEX mission as an essential milestone for India's future space initiatives. The achievement places India among the elite nations in space docking technology, enhancing its capabilities for upcoming missions, including lunar exploration and the Indian space station.Key Takeaways
- India becomes the fourth nation to achieve space docking.
- The SpaDeX mission is a pivotal step for future space endeavors.
- ISRO successfully merged two satellites weighing 220 kg each.
- Indigenous Bharatiya Docking System was developed.
- This technology is key for human spaceflight and satellite servicing.
New Delhi, Jan 16 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Thursday that the successful docking of the satellites involved in the SpaDEX mission represents a crucial milestone for India’s ambitious space endeavors in the future.
India has now become the fourth country to master space docking technology, following the United States, Russia, and China. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced the successful merging of two small spacecraft—SDX01, the Chaser, and SDX02, the Target—each weighing approximately 220 kg.
“Kudos to our scientists at @isro and the entire space community for the successful demonstration of satellite docking,” PM Modi shared on the X social media platform.
“This marks a significant milestone for India’s future space missions,” he added.
The satellites were part of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission, which launched aboard the PSLV-C60 rocket from Sriharikota on December 30.
“Docking successfully accomplished. India is now the fourth nation to achieve successful Space Docking. Congratulations to the entire team! Congratulations to India!” ISRO tweeted.
Dr. V. Narayanan, Secretary of DOS, Chairman of the Space Commission, and ISRO Chairman, extended his congratulations to the ISRO team.
On Sunday, the two satellites approached within three meters during a trial for space docking at a distance of 15 meters. They then retreated to a secure distance.
However, ISRO confirmed, “manoeuvre from 15m to 3m hold point completed,” while noting that the docking was executed “with precision, leading to successful spacecraft capture.”
The docking technology, developed indigenously, is referred to as the Bharatiya Docking System.
The SpaDeX mission will reinforce India's capabilities in orbital docking—a vital technology for upcoming human spaceflight and satellite servicing missions. This technology is also essential for India’s forthcoming space endeavors, including lunar missions, the establishment of the Indian space station, and missions like Chandrayaan-4 without relying on GNSS from Earth.
