The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved another milestone with its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) satellites successfully completing a second docking.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh, while sharing the update on X on Monday, wrote, “Glad to inform that the second docking of satellites has been accomplished successfully.”
SpaDeX involves two satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), launched together on December 30, 2024. The satellites were successfully docked for the first time on 16 January and undocked on March 13.
Further experiments are planned in the next two weeks, the minister wrote.
Isro defines SpaDeX mission as “cost-effective technology demonstrator mission” for the demonstration of in-space docking using two small spacecraft launched by PSLV. The mission aims to demonstrate technologies related to orbital rendezvous, docking, and proximity operations.
After the completion of first docking, Isro chairman V Narayanan said the results will be useful for multiple purposes, including future missions like Chandrayaan 4, Gaganyaan and India’s space station.
The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) has made India the fourth country after the US, Russia and China to accomplish the technological feat.
