SpaDeX Mission : Completed Second Docking
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully completed the second docking of its two satellites — SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target) — under the SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) mission.
- SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) is a technology demonstration mission developed by ISRO to validate the capability of docking and undocking two small satellites in low-Earth orbit.
- The mission involved two small satellites, each weighing around 220 kg: SDX01 (Chaser), SDX02 (Target)
- These satellites were launched by PSLV-C60 into a 460 km circular orbit with an inclination of 45 degrees.
- Primary objective: To develop and demonstrate the capability for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of spacecraft in orbit.
- Secondary objectives is To demonstrate the transfer of electric power between docked spacecraft — a crucial component for future in-space operations, To develop and validate composite spacecraft control systems, To test payload operations after undocking — important for deep-space missions.
- With this achievement, India becomes the fourth country after the United States of America, Russia, and China to successfully conduct satellite docking operations.
