GUWAHATI: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) marked a historic achievement on Thursday, January 16, by successfully completing the docking of its SpaDeX satellites. This milestone positions India as the fourth nation in the world to achieve successful satellite docking, joining the ranks of the United States, Russia, and China.
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The accomplishment follows a series of trials, including a notable manoeuvre on January 12 where the two spacecraft were brought within three metres of each other before being placed back at a safe distance. The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission, launched on December 30, 2024.
ISRO took to X and said, “Spacecraft docking successfully completed! A historic moment. Let’s walk through the SpaDeX docking process: Manoeuvre from 15m to 3m hold point completed. Docking initiated with precision, leading to successful spacecraft capture. Retraction completed smoothly, followed by rigidisation for stability. Docking successfully completed. India became the 4th country to achieve successful Space Docking. Congratulations to the entire team! Congratulations to India!”
SpaDeX Docking Update:
— ISRO (@isro) January 16, 2025
Docking Success
Spacecraft docking successfully completed! A historic moment.
Let’s walk through the SpaDeX docking process:
Manoeuvre from 15m to 3m hold point completed. Docking initiated with precision, leading to successful spacecraft capture.…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also lauded the breakthrough, saying, “Congratulations to our scientists at @isro and the entire space fraternity for the successful demonstration of space docking of satellites. It is a significant stepping stone for India’s ambitious space missions in the years to come.”
Congratulations to our scientists at @isro and the entire space fraternity for the successful demonstration of space docking of satellites. It is a significant stepping stone for India’s ambitious space missions in the years to come.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 16, 2025
Following the docking, ISRO said on X, “Post docking, control of two satellites as a single object is successful. Undocking and power transfer checks to follow in coming days.”
SpaDeX Docking Update:
— ISRO (@isro) January 16, 2025
Post docking, control of two satellites as a single object is successful.
Undocking and power transfer checks to follow in coming days.
#SPADEX #ISRO
