In a historic milestone for India’s space program, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully docked two indigenous satellites in space as part of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX). This remarkable feat makes India the fourth country in the world to achieve successful space docking, following Russia, the USA, and China.

The successful docking operation, announced by ISRO at 10 am IST, involved a meticulously executed sequence. Using the indigenously developed Bhartiya Docking System, the two satellites—SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target)—were maneuvered into position at a speed of 10 millimeters per second. The procedure saw the satellites move from a 15-meter distance to a 3-meter hold point, followed by precise docking, retraction, and rigidisation for stability.

ISRO’s statement highlighted, “Spacecraft docking successfully completed! A historic moment. Let’s walk through the SpaDeX docking process: Manoeuvre from 15m to 3m hold point completed. Docking initiated with precision, leading to successful spacecraft capture. Retraction completed smoothly, followed by rigidisation for stability. Docking successfully completed. India became the 4th country to achieve successful Space Docking. Congratulations to the entire team! Congratulations to India!”

The SpaDeX mission was launched on December 30, 2024, using the PSLV C60 rocket, placing the satellites into a 475-kilometre circular orbit. The docking process was a result of cautious attempts and trials conducted over a fortnight.

The success of the SpaDeX mission marks a significant advancement for India’s space capabilities, enabling future missions like Chandrayaan-4 and the Bhartiya Antariksha station. The last trial attempt on January 12, 2025, saw the satellites perform an “exciting handshake” as described by ISRO, moving back and forth to achieve proximity before the final successful docking.

This achievement underscores India’s growing expertise in space technology and paves the way for more complex space missions in the future.

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