ISRO Achieves Second Successful Satellite Docking In SpaDeX Mission, Marking Major Leap In Space Technology

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday (21 April) successfully completed the second satellite docking under its SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) mission, reported ANI.

The operation marked a major technological milestone, bolstering India’s position as the fourth nation to demonstrate in-space docking capabilities, after the United States, Russia, and China.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed the development, stating on X, “Glad to inform that the second docking of satellites has been accomplished successfully.”

The SpaDeX mission, launched on 30 December 2024 aboard the PSLV-C60 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, involves two small satellites—SDX-01 (Chaser) and SDX-02 (Target).

These spacecraft are designed to perform complex docking and undocking procedures, simulating manoeuvres critical for future missions like satellite servicing, space station operations, and interplanetary travel.

The first successful docking occurred on 16 January 2025 at 06.20 am, with the satellites later undocking on 13 March at 09.20 am. ISRO detailed the “precise sequence of events” in the de-docking process, including “the successful extension of SDX-2, the planned release of Capture Lever 3,” and the “decapture command” issued to both spacecraft.

This technology is essential when multiple rocket launches are required to achieve common mission objectives, ISRO stated, noting its relevance for future goals such as returning lunar samples and constructing the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS).

Designed by the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) with support from VSSC, LPSC, SAC, IISU, and LEOS, the SpaDeX mission is a cost-effective, high-impact initiative intended to demonstrate India’s mastery of complex in-orbit operations.

ISRO has confirmed that “further experiments are planned in the next two weeks” to continue validating the docking system’s robustness and precision.

ISRO’s SpaDeX mission showcases India’s expertise in spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking—key for satellite servicing, space station operations, and interplanetary missions.

As a cost-effective demonstrator using two PSLV-launched satellites, it supports India’s ambitions like lunar missions, sample returns, and building the Bharatiya Antariksh Station through multi-launch coordination.

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