India Joins Elite Space Nations with Successful Satellite Docking

ISRO's SpaDeX mission marks a critical milestone for India's space ambitions, demonstrating advanced docking technology crucial for future missions.

India's Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully docked two satellites in orbit, becoming the fourth country to achieve this feat after the US, Russia, and China.
The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) involved two satellites, Chaser and Target, which were launched on December 30, 2024, and maneuvered to dock 475 kilometers above Earth.
This indigenous docking technology will be pivotal for India's future space missions, including the planned Bharatiya Antariksha Station, Chandrayaan-4, and a crewed lunar mission by 2040.
The docking process included precise maneuvers, retraction, and stabilization, with further undocking and power transfer tests scheduled in the coming days.
The Indian government also approved a ₹3,985 crore investment for a third launch pad at Sriharikota to support next-generation launch vehicles and human spaceflight missions.