Sriharikota, Dec 31: India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), successfully launched its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) on Monday night, marking a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward developing its own space station by 2035.
The PSLV-C60 rocket lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 10 pm, carrying two spacecraft, each weighing 220 kg, into a 475 km circular orbit. The launch, initially scheduled for 9:58 pm, was slightly delayed to avoid close proximity with other satellites in orbit.
“This is our 99th launch from Satish Dhawan Space Centre. We are gearing up for the 100th launch at the beginning of next year,” said S. Somanath, ISRO’s Chief, from the Mission Control Centre.
The SpaDeX mission, a cost-effective technology demonstrator, aims to develop and test technology for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft in low-Earth orbit. The satellites, named SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), have begun their journey in orbit, moving apart by 20 km to prepare for docking operations, which are expected to commence around January 7, 2025.
“The SpaDeX satellites have moved one behind the other. Over the next week, they will align for the docking process,” Somanath explained.
The success of this mission positions India among an elite group of nations capable of conducting in-space docking, a crucial step for satellite servicing, interplanetary missions, and the eventual development of a space station.
The mission also carried POEM-4 (Payload Orbital Experiment Module), comprising 24 payloads designed for research and development, further emphasizing ISRO’s commitment to advancing space science.
The SpaDeX launch marks ISRO’s 99th mission from Sriharikota. The agency is now preparing for its 100th launch, scheduled for early 2025, featuring a Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV) mission.
ISRO’s future plans include launching the NVS-02 navigation satellite aboard a GSLV in January 2025, part of the second-generation NavIC constellation, following the successful deployment of NVS-01 in May 2023.
“This innovative, novel, cost-effective docking demonstration mission is a remarkable achievement for the entire team,” said Somanath. M. Sankaran, Director of the UR Rao Satellite Centre, highlighted the spacecraft’s design, noting their small relative velocity, which allows them to align for docking operations.
The SpaDeX mission underscores India’s growing prominence in global space exploration. With the capability to demonstrate advanced space docking technology, ISRO is paving the way for ambitious projects, including a dedicated Indian space station by 2035, further solidifying its status as a leader in cutting-edge space technology.
