ISRO's SpaDeX Mission: A Leap in Space Docking Technology
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Mission Name | SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) |
| Launch Date | December 30, 2024 |
| Launch Site | Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota |
| Satellites Involved | SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target) |
| Objective | Demonstrate spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking technologies |
| Key Milestone | January 12, 2025: Satellites moved within 3 metres, then repositioned |
| Challenges Overcome | Drift between satellites arrested after initial postponements on January 7 and 9, 2025 |
| Significance | Essential for future space missions, including lunar landings, space stations, and deep space exploration |
| Global Positioning | India aims to be the 4th country to achieve docking technology, joining USA, Russia, and China |
| Future Goals | Indian Space Station, manned lunar missions, sample return missions, and interplanetary exploration |
| Key Organizations | ISRO |