India Achieves Another Space Tech Milestone As ISRO Successfully Completes Undocking Of SpaDeX Satellites

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Thursday (13 March) achieved another milestone with the successful undocking of its SpaDeX satellites in space.

SpaDeX, launched on 30 December 2024, involved two satellites—SDX-1 (Chaser) and SDX-2 (Target)—designed to demonstrate autonomous rendezvous and docking technologies.

According to an ISRO statement, the recent undocking sequence included several critical steps:

• SDX-2 Extension: Successful extension of SDX-2 to prepare for undocking.

• Capture Lever 3 Release: Release executed as planned.

• Capture Lever Disengagement in SDX-2: Disengagement completed.

• Decapture Command Issued: Commands executed in both SDX-1 and SDX-2.

Earlier on 16 January, ISRO successfully achieved satellite docking as part of its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX).

Launched on 30 December 2024, the SpaDeX mission utilised the PSLV C60 rocket to carry two small satellites, SDX-1 (Chaser) and SDX-2 (Target), alongside 24 additional payloads.

The PSLV C60 successfully deployed the spacecraft into a 475-kilometer circular orbit roughly 15 minutes after its liftoff from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Each satellite weighs approximately 220 kilograms.

According to ISRO, the SpaDeX project serves as a cost-efficient technology demonstrator designed to highlight the feasibility of in-space docking with small satellites.

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