SPADEX (Space Docking Experiment) – ISRO

Current context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully completed the second in-orbit docking of two satellites  SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target) in April 2025.

About

• Docking is the process of joining two spacecraft in orbit.
• It enables space station assembly, modular missions, and crew/cargo transfer.

Mission Highlights

• Launch Date: 30 December 2024
• Launch Vehicle: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle ( PSLV-C60)
• 1st Docking: 16 January 2025
• 1st Undocking: 13 March 2025
• 2nd Docking: April 2025
• India becomes the 4th nation (after United States, Russia, and China) to achieve this capability.
• Objectives: Demonstrate Orbital rendezvous, Docking/undocking operations& Electric power transfer between docked satellites
• Support long-term goals: Indian space station, Lunar missions&In-space robotics