Union Minister Jitendra Singh celebrates India’s entry into elite space docking nations

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched its SpaDeX mission marking a historic achievement in space technology. On December 30 the mission was lifted off aboard the PSLV-C60 rocket from Sriharikota with the goal of docking two satellites in space. This makes India the fourth country after the United States Russia and China to master the advanced space docking technology. The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) aims to demonstrate India’s capability in orbital docking a critical technology for future human spaceflights and satellite servicing. ISRO confirmed the successful separation of the two SpaDeX satellites SDX01 (the Chaser) and SDX02 (the Target) which each weigh about 220 kg and are set to dock in a low-Earth circular orbit. Union Minister Jitendra Singh celebrated India’s success stating that the country has now joined the elite group of nations capable of space docking thanks to its indigenously developed ‘Bharatiya Docking System’. This achievement is expected to play a key role in India’s upcoming space missions including the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission and the establishment of the Bharatiya Antriksha Station.

The Bharatiya Docking System includes a variety of cutting-edge technologies such as a docking mechanism rendezvous sensors power transfer capabilities and autonomous docking strategies with built-in intelligence for spacecraft interaction. The successful demonstration of space docking will pave the way for more advanced applications including in-space robotics composite spacecraft control and payload operations. In addition to the docking experiment SpaDeX will also demonstrate the transfer of electric power between the docked spacecraft a crucial aspect for future space missions. The mission also includes experiments using the PSLV’s fourth stage POEM-4 which carries 24 payloads from academic institutions and startups. This achievement underscores India’s growing space capabilities positioning it as a significant player in the global space community and setting the stage for more ambitious missions in the future.