The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully deployed its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C60 variant.
The launch took place on December 30, 2024, at 10:00 PM IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
SpaDeX is a pioneering mission aimed at demonstrating India's capability in orbital docking, a critical technology for future human spaceflight and satellite servicing.
The mission involved two spacecraft—SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target)—which were deployed into orbit by the PSLV-C60. Following their deployment, these spacecraft executed a series of complex maneuvers, culminating in a successful docking on January 16, 2025.
This achievement positions India as the fourth country to have successfully conducted an in-space docking, following the United States, Russia, and China. The success of SpaDeX is a significant milestone for ISRO, paving the way for more advanced space missions in the future.
