Why in the News?

India achieved a major milestone in space docking technology with the successful undocking of satellites under the SpaDeX mission, marking ISRO’s first-ever undocking operation on March 14, 2025, just two months after the initial docking.

With this success, India joins an elite group of nations—the U.S., Russia, and China—that have demonstrated space docking and undocking capabilities.

What is PSLV-C60 SpaDeX Mission?

• The PSLV-C60 SpaDeX Mission is a landmark mission aimed at demonstrating in-space docking and undocking technology.
• This mission would position India as the fourth country in the world to master space docking, following the US, Russia, and China.
• Objective:
  • To demonstrate the docking, undocking, and rendezvous capabilities of two satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO).
  • Facilitate power transfer between docked spacecraft, an essential capability for future space missions.
• Satellites: (Each weighing 220kg.)
  • SDX01 (Chaser): Equipped with a High-Resolution Camera (HRC).
  • SDX02 (Target): Carries a Miniature Multispectral Payload (MMX) and a Radiation Monitor (RadMon).
• Configuration:
  • The satellites will be launched using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C60) in a core-alone (CA) configuration, meaning without strap-on boosters.
  • They will be placed in a 476-km circular orbit with an inclination of 55°.
• Post-Docking:
  • After the docking demonstration, the satellites will continue standalone missions for two years, conducting imaging, natural resource monitoring, and radiation environment studies.
• Significance: It is a strategic step towards several ambitious space objectives, including:
  • Preparing for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program
  • Enabling Chandrayaan-4 lunar sample return missions
  • Developing the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), India’s proposed space station35

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