India has achieved a significant technological milestone, becoming the fourth country to successfully perform space docking. This breakthrough was accomplished by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) through its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), conducted at 9 a.m. IST.
The mission involved two ISRO satellites, Target and Chaser, which successfully docked and separated after completing complex orbital manoeuvres. Each satellite was about the size of a large refrigerator.
This technological achievement is vital for satellite servicing, space station assembly, and interplanetary missions, positioning India as a major player in the global space sector. Astrophysicist Jayant Murthy emphasized the importance of space docking for India’s future space station projects, noting that assembly in space requires this capability.
The mission, initially delayed twice—once for extra ground simulations and again due to satellite drift—was launched on December 30, using an Indian-made rocket. It also carried experimental payloads, including cowpea seeds to study plant growth in microgravity, which germinated just four days after launch.
A key aspect of SpaDeX was demonstrating the transfer of electric power between the docked spacecraft, a crucial step for in-space robotics, spacecraft control, and operational payloads after undocking. This technology is essential for multi-launch missions with shared objectives.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the achievement, calling it a vital step for India's future space ambitions. ISRO is increasingly focusing on deep-space exploration and collaborating with the private sector, with upcoming projects including solar studies, orbital astronaut missions, and planetary defence alongside NASA.
The global commercial space market is expected to grow to $1 trillion by 2030, and India’s current share is 2% ($8 billion). The government aims to increase this to $44 billion by 2040, marking a critical moment for India’s expanding space capabilities. The country is doing very well to mark its name on the global map.
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