ISRO achieves historic SpaDeX mission with successful satellite docking in space

SpaDeX satellites holding position at 15m, capturing stunning photos and videos of each other! (Image: ISRO)

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully docked two satellites in space on Thursday. The mission, part of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), marked India's entry into an elite group of nations.

India Joins Elite Space Docking Club
At 10 a.m., ISRO announced the historic achievement. "Docking successfully completed! A historic moment for India," the agency stated. The satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), performed a precise manoeuvre at 10 millimetres per second. The docking process occurred at an altitude of 475 kilometres above Earth.

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

India is now the fourth nation to achieve space docking, joining Russia, the United States, and China. The mission showcased the indigenously developed Bhartiya Docking System, a crucial step for future missions like Chandrayaan-4 and India's planned space station.

A Complex Process Perfected Over Time
The SpaDeX mission, launched on December 30, 2024, involved meticulous planning and trials. Previous attempts brought the satellites as close as three metres apart. On January 12, 2025, ISRO described the near-miss as an "exciting handshake" in space. After analysing data, ISRO achieved success on the fourth attempt.

This accomplishment highlights India's advancing space technology. It lays the foundation for more complex missions and strengthens India's position in the global space community.