Isro SpaDeX docking: Satellites moved back to safe distance after trial attempt

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) conducted a trial attempt at docking its two satellites parts of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission in the wee hours of Sunday.

The two satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), successfully manoeuvred to a distance of 15 meters and then came just three meters to each other. Isro said, “A trial attempt to reach up to 15 m and further to 3 m is done. Moving back spacecraft to safe distance. The docking process will be done after analysing data further.”

Isro earlier expressed excitement about the proximity of the satellites, stating, “At 15 m we see each other clearer and clearer; we are just 50 feet away for an exciting handshake.” The agency will now analyse the data before the next attempt, which had originally been scheduled for January 7 and then postponed to January 9 due to technical issues.

Launched successfully on December 30, 2024, aboard a PSLV C60 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, the SpaDeX mission includes two small satellites weighing around 220 kg each. They were placed into a circular orbit at an altitude of 475 kilometers. The mission serves as a cost-effective technology demonstrator for in-space docking—a capability that only three countries currently possess: the United States, Russia, and China.

The successful execution of this mission is vital for India’s aspirations in space exploration, including plans for lunar missions and the establishment of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS). The SpaDeX project represents a critical step toward achieving autonomous spacecraft rendezvous and docking capabilities, which are essential for future missions requiring multiple launches and coordinated operations.

As ISRO continues to monitor the health of both satellites, excitement builds within the space community as they await the next steps in this groundbreaking mission.