'India now a master of docking technology,' says ex-ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan

Former Isro Scientist, Nambi Narayanan

India's space ambitions soared higher with a new achievement. Former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan praised the successful satellite docking. He described the milestone as a crucial step for future missions.

A moment of pride for India
On Thursday, ISRO completed its much-awaited Space Docking Experiment. The feat positioned India as the fourth nation to master docking technology.

SpaDeX Docking Update:Docking SuccessSpacecraft docking successfully completed! A historic moment.Lets walk through the SpaDeX docking process:Manoeuvre from 15m to 3m hold point completed. Docking initiated with precision, leading to successful spacecraft capture.
ISRO (@isro) January 16, 2025

Nambi Narayanan shared his joy over this significant achievement. "This has been a long-standing dream,” Narayanan told ANI. “Docking is essential for every future space mission. We seem to have mastered it step by step.” He highlighted its importance for Chandrayaan-4 and Gaganyaan missions planned for 2028.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded ISRO’s accomplishment, calling it a stepping stone. He congratulated the team for their success and vision.

Future missions made more achievable
Union Minister Jitendra Singh praised the achievement’s role in future projects. He said it paves the way for missions like the Indian space station. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called it a proud moment.

Former ISRO scientist Mylswamy Annadurai noted its benefits for debris removal. He said it ensures readiness for complex missions like Chandrayaan-4.

ISRO confirmed the docking process involved precision manoeuvring. The satellites successfully operated as a single object post-docking. The achievement further solidified India’s position in advanced space technology.