ISRO’s SpaDeX Mission: India is set to reach a significant milestone in space technology with the upcoming Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), scheduled for December 30, 2024. Announced by Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, the mission aims to achieve the rare feat of docking two satellites in space, an accomplishment only a few nations have mastered.
The mission will use the PSLV-C60 rocket to launch two satellites, SDX01 and SDX02, each weighing 220 kilograms, into an orbit 470 km above Earth. These satellites will attempt to dock at speeds of 28,800 km/h, requiring precise maneuvers to reduce their relative velocity to just 0.036 km/h. The docking will occur at a distance of 3 meters, marking a critical test for India’s space capabilities.
The SpaDeX mission uses the “Bharatiya Docking System,” an indigenous technology developed by ISRO, and will be a crucial step in future space exploration projects, including satellite servicing, India’s planned space station, and the Gaganyaan manned mission. Additionally, the mission will utilize PSLV’s POEM-4 stage for experiments with 24 payloads from academic institutions and startups.
This milestone will place India among global leaders in space technology, joining the ranks of the US, Russia, and China in mastering spacecraft docking. The success of SpaDeX will further strengthen India’s space exploration ambitions and pave the way for more complex missions in the future.
