Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Thursday successfully performed the docking of satellites as part of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX). The successful docking made India the fourth country in the world to possess docking and undocking capabilities alongside China, Russia, and the US.
ISRO Successfully Docks Satellites As Part Of SpaDeX Mission; Becomes 4th Nation In History
ISRO successfully launched the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission on December 30, 2024. On January 12, ISRO brought the two spacecraft to three metres and then moved them back to a safe distance in its trial attempt to dock the satellites.
"India docked its name in space history! Good Morning India ISRO라이브 바카라 SpaDeX mission accomplishes historic docking success. Proud to witness this moment!", ISRO said in a post on 'X'.
Congratulating ISRO for its historic accomplishment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the scientists on X.
"Congratulations to our scientists at @isro and the entire space fraternity for the successful demonstration of space docking of satellites. It is a significant stepping stone for India라이브 바카라 ambitious space missions in the years to come", PM Modi's X post read.
ISRO launched SpaDeX mission on December 30
ISRO successfully launched the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission on December 30, 2024. On January 12, ISRO brought the two spacecraft to three metres and then moved them back to a safe distance in its trial attempt to dock the satellites.
The PSLV C60 rocket carrying two small satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), along with 24 payloads, had lifted off from the first launchpad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, and about 15 minutes after liftoff, the two small spacecraft weighing about 220 kg each were launched into a 475-km circular orbit as intended.
This marked a major milestone for India as it set stone for ISRO setting up its own Space Station by 2035. This is a cost-effective technology demonstrator mission for in-space docking, satellite servicing and interplanetary missions.
In space, docking technology is essential when multiple rocket launches are required to achieve common mission objectives.
ISRO's '100th launch' in January
After the successful launch of the PSLV-C60 mission that placed the Space Docking Experiment spacecraft A and B in a circular orbit, ISRO Chairman S Somanath on December 30 said that the national space research organization is gearing up to achieve a significant milestone in January 2025.
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According to the ISRO chief, a Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV) mission is scheduled in January which will also be the 100th launch from the Sriharikota spaceport.
"So, all of you have seen the majestic lift-off and the launch of the SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) rocket, and for us, this is the 99th launch of any vehicle from Satish Dhawan Space Centre so, that is also a very important number. So, we are going for the 100th launch at the beginning of the next year", Somnath said while adding, “In 2025, we will have many missions to start with the GSLV launching the (navigation satellite) NVS-02 in the month of January."
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