India has successfully joined an elite group of four nations to demonstrate the complex technology of satellite docking and undocking.
The achievement comes after the successful completion of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDEx) mission, announced by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan on Friday.
“India is now one of the four countries in the world to have demonstrated both docking and undocking technology,” Dr. Narayanan told reporters.
This accomplishment places India alongside a select few nations with the capability to conduct such advanced space operations.
Preparation And Success Of The Undocking Process
Dr. Narayanan recalled the extensive preparations undertaken by ISRO to ensure the success of the mission.
The team carried out over 120 computer simulations to meticulously plan the mission and avoid any errors. “On January 16, we had a major achievement; we successfully docked both the satellites together, and they rotated as a single body. Then, we wanted to separate them in the undocking process, for which we conducted a lot of studies and analysis. We made a simulator and performed 120 simulations to ensure there would be no mistakes,” he explained.
On March 13, at 9:20 AM, ISRO successfully completed the undocking process on its first attempt.
“This is a very complex technology, and we took every measure to ensure it would be a success,” said Narayanan, underscoring the team’s careful planning and precision.
Key Achievements: Satellite Docking And Cryogenic Propulsion
The SpaDEx mission, which demonstrated India’s satellite docking ability, involved the docking of two satellites launched under the mission on January 16, 2025.
The satellites, SDX-01 (Chaser) and SDX-02 (Target), were launched on December 30, 2024, using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C60 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
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The undocking process required precise maneuvers, including the extension of SDX-2, the planned release of Capture Lever 3, and the disengagement of the Capture Lever in SDX-2.
After these maneuvers, the decapture command was issued, successfully separating the two satellites.
In addition to the docking success, Dr. Narayanan revealed another major achievement for ISRO: the successful test of the C32 cryogenic propulsion system.
This system, which had been denied to India by multiple countries in the past, is now a significant technological achievement for ISRO.
“We have developed the C32 cryogenic propulsion system. Cryogenic technology was denied to India by other countries, and we took baby steps to develop it. Today, we have developed three cryogenic stages, and we successfully tested it for 100 seconds,” Dr. Narayanan said.
He added that this technology, once considered difficult to master, is now in ISRO’s arsenal and demonstrates India’s growing capabilities in space technology.
A Collaborative Effort For Success
The SpaDEx spacecraft were designed and developed by the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), with support from other ISRO centers, including VSSC, LPSC, SAC, IISU, and LEOS.
These efforts have led to significant advancements in India’s space capabilities, positioning ISRO as a key player in the global space community.
Looking Ahead: India’s Ambitious Space Future
With these successful demonstrations, ISRO has reinforced its commitment to advancing India’s space technology.
The successful docking and undocking, coupled with the achievement in cryogenic propulsion, highlight India’s growing space ambitions and its capacity to tackle some of the most complex challenges in space exploration.
The nation now looks ahead to more ambitious missions, including future manned missions, with confidence in the technology and expertise of its space scientists.
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