Sriharikota, India: India’s space agency, ISRO, has successfully completed its first-ever space docking, joining two spacecraft in orbit as part of the SpaDeX mission. This marks a crucial step in India’s aspirations to build its own space station and send astronauts to the Moon.
The mission, named Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), launched on December 30,2024 from the Sriharikota launch pad in southern India. The two small spacecraft, dubbed the Chaser and the Target, weighing approximately 220 kg each, separated after launch and traveled at different speeds to create a 10-20 km distance between them before docking.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, present at ISRO’s Bangalore office during the test, called the success a significant milestone for India’s space exploration ambitions.
Federal Science Minister Jitendra Singh expressed his relief after the docking finally took place, following several delays due to testing and technical glitches. The initial docking was scheduled for January 7 but was postponed to carry out further testing and simulations.
🇮🇳 #RRM_TD, India's first space robotic arm, is in action onboard #POEM4! A proud #MakeInIndia milestone in space robotics. 🚀✨ #ISRO #SpaceTech pic.twitter.com/sy3BxrtRN1
— ISRO (@isro) January 4, 2025
ISRO scientists successfully reduced the distance between the two spacecraft, bringing them as close as 3 meters before locking them together. The process completed space docking, an essential technology for future space missions.
ISRO officials confirmed that over the next two to three days, the mission would transfer electrical power from the Chaser to the Target, demonstrating the potential for spacecraft servicing in orbit.
The docking process also tested India’s capabilities in inter-satellite communication, with the spacecraft needing to communicate with each other and Earth to ensure accurate positioning and velocity control.
The SpaDeX mission carries scientific instruments and cameras designed to measure radiation in space and monitor Earth’s resources over the next two years.
In addition, ISRO has utilized part of the rocket from the SpaDeX mission to conduct important experiments in orbit. The POEM (PS4-Orbital Experiment Module) on the mission carries 24 payloads, two of which have already been successfully tested.
One experiment demonstrated seed germination in micro-gravity, with cowpea sprouts emerging as the first leaves were observed in space. This experiment is crucial for future long-duration missions, as it may allow astronauts to produce food in space.
Another key experiment involved the robotic arm, which successfully captured a piece of space debris. This robotic arm, which will play a vital role in building India’s space station and during the Chandrayaan-4 mission to the Moon, will help capture and position objects in space.
These advancements not only demonstrate ISRO’s growing capabilities but also pave the way for more complex missions in the future, including lunar exploration and the establishment of a space station.
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