ISRO’s Pre-Holi Gift: Spadex Satellite Successfully Undocked, Paving Way for Chandrayaan-4
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has successfully completed the task of undocking two satellites under the Space Docking Experiment (Spadex) mission, which has proved to be an important milestone in India's space exploration journey. With this, the way has been cleared for Chandrayaan-4.
The process of joining satellites together in space is called docking and the process of separating them is called undocking. Earlier, ISRO launched Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) from Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, i.e. SHAR at 10 pm on 30 December 2024. The success of the mission paved the way for the establishment of Indian Space Center and human space missions like Chandrayaan-4. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences, Jitendra Singh congratulated ISRO for this success. He posted on 'X', 'Congratulations to the ISRO team. This is a matter of happiness for every Indian. The SpadeX satellites have completed incredible de-docking. This will greatly help in future ambitious missions including Indian Space Station, Chandrayaan 4 and Gaganyaan. This will also pave the way for taking these missions forward. The continued patronage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi adds to this enthusiasm.' Earlier on January 16, India took another big leap in the space sector and joined the club of select countries of the world.
ISRO had successfully docked the satellites under the 'Space Docking Experiment' (Spadex). ISRO had said on the social media platform 'X', 'India has registered its name in space history. Good morning India, ISRO's Spadex mission has achieved historic success in 'docking'. It is a proud moment to witness this.' With this, India became the fourth country to achieve this feat after America, Russia, China. This technology is necessary for India's space ambitions such as Indian mission to the moon, bringing back samples from the moon, construction and operation of Indian Space Station (BAS) etc. India plans to establish its own space station in 2035. The success of the mission is important for this. The Indian Space Station will have five modules which will be brought together in space. The first module of these is to be launched in 2028. This mission is also important for human space flights like Chandrayaan-4. This experiment will lay the ground for satellite repair, refueling, debris removal and others.
