New Delhi:The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), which made history by landing Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s South Pole, is set for another groundbreaking mission. In December, ISRO will launch the Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX), India’s first mission to demonstrate in-space docking technology. This mission will involve two separate spacecraft docking with each other, positioning India among a select group of nations like the U.S. and China capable of such advanced space maneuvers.
The SPADEX mission is part of ISRO’s ambitious plans to establish an Indian space station above Earth, marking the first step toward that goal. If successful, SPADEX will significantly bolster India’s capabilities for complex space operations, such as future space station assembly, satellite refueling, and transferring crew or cargo in space.
Launch Details and Mission Highlights
Set to launch in December, SPADEX will showcase India’s capability in space docking technology, essential for future missions. The mission will deploy two 400-kilogram satellites, “Chaser” and “Target,” via a PSLV-class rocket, which will carry them together into space. Once reaching a 700-kilometer orbit, these satellites will separate and engage in a precise docking operation.
Success in this mission would position India among a prestigious group of nations with in-space docking capabilities, enabling more complex future space endeavors.