New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch its Space Docking Experiment, SpaDeX, on December 30, 2024, marking a historic milestone in India’s space exploration. The mission will demonstrate India’s capability to dock two satellites in space, joining an exclusive group of countries that have mastered this technology.
Minister of State for Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, announced that SpaDeX will be launched using the PSLV-C60 rocket, equipped with two satellites featuring the indigenous Bhartiya Docking System. The mission aims to perform precision rendezvous and docking maneuvers, with the two satellites, SDX01 and SDX02, merging at a speed of 28,800 km/h.
The successful docking of these satellites is crucial for future space missions, including Chandrayaan-4, India’s planned space station, and the Gaganyaan manned mission. The technology will also pave the way for satellite servicing and interplanetary exploration.
Additionally, SpaDeX will utilize PSLV’s fourth stage, POEM-4, to conduct experiments, including 24 payloads from academic institutions and startups, in the microgravity environment. This mission will establish India as a leader in spacecraft docking technology, contributing significantly to future lunar, interplanetary, and human spaceflight missions.
Only the US, Russia, and China have mastered such advancements so far.
