India marked a significant milestone in its space programme with the successful launch of two SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) satellites on December 30.
The mission, conducted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), aims to test autonomous docking technology critical for future lunar missions and the construction of the country’s first space station.
Launched aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C58) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, the satellites were deployed into their designated orbit at 10:30 p.m. IST.
The SpaDeX mission comprises two satellites, a Chaser and a Target, which will autonomously perform docking operations in space by early January 2025.
ISRO Chairman S. Somanath hailed the launch as a step forward in mastering the technologies needed for Chandrayaan-4’s lunar sample return mission and the Bharatiya Antariksha Station, planned for the next decade. The mission’s success positions India among the few nations capable of demonstrating such complex manoeuvres in orbit.
The PSLV-C58 rocket also carried 24 secondary payloads, including a robotic arm for on-orbit servicing tests and microgravity experiments designed to benefit science and industry. These secondary payloads reflect India’s growing competence in advanced space technologies and international collaboration.
This launch reinforces ISRO’s commitment to enhancing India’s space exploration capabilities, with the SpaDeX experiment playing a critical role in advancing technologies for both crewed and uncrewed lunar and interplanetary missions.
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