ISRO Achieves Unbelievable Feat with Successful Space Docking Experiment, Says Union Minister Jitendra Singh.
New Delhi:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a historic milestone with the successful completion of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), using the indigenous Bharatiya Docking System. Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Dr. Jitendra Singh, hailed the accomplishment, calling it an “unbelievable” achievement that will propel India’s future space exploration missions.
In a congratulatory message posted on social media platform X, Dr. Singh praised ISRO scientists and engineers for their remarkable success. He highlighted that the docking experiment not only demonstrates India’s growing capabilities in space technology but also marks a significant step toward ambitious missions such as the Bhartiya Antriksh Station, Chandrayaan 4, and Gaganyaan.
“Congrats ISRO. Finally made it. SpaDeX has accomplished the unbelievable… docking complete… and it is all indigenous ‘Bharatiya Docking System’,” Dr. Singh tweeted. He further emphasized how this achievement is a testament to the vision and continuous support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose backing, he said, has been instrumental in boosting the morale of ISRO’s scientists.
The historic space docking was conducted after several meticulous trials. Just days before the successful docking, ISRO had conducted a trial where two spacecraft were brought to a three-meter distance before being safely moved apart. The SpaDeX mission was officially launched on December 30, 2024, and has now set a precedent for future endeavors in India’s space exploration program.
In its update, ISRO described the intricate process of the docking. It began with a controlled maneuver from a 15-meter distance to a 3-meter hold point. The precise docking sequence was initiated, and the spacecraft were successfully captured. Following the docking, retraction and stabilization through rigidisation were smoothly completed. The agency confirmed that the satellites, now combined as a single object, were fully controlled. Additionally, undocking and power transfer checks are expected in the coming days.
This accomplishment places India among an exclusive group of nations—joining the United States, Russia, and China—as the fourth country to successfully achieve space docking. The successful completion of the SpaDeX mission is expected to have far-reaching implications for India’s future space exploration projects.
Dr. Singh’s remarks underscored the importance of the SpaDeX experiment as a stepping stone for more complex missions, particularly the creation of the Bhartiya Antriksh Station, which is expected to serve as India’s space station. Other high-profile missions, such as Chandrayaan 4 and Gaganyaan, will also benefit from this significant advancement in space technology.
The success of the SpaDeX mission highlights India’s growing space prowess and its increasing role in the global space community.
