The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched PSLV-C60 carrying SpaDeX and groundbreaking 24 payloads at 10:00 pm on 30 December 2024 at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The launch brings India closer to becoming the fourth country in the world to have space docking technology.

The SpaDeX mission is a cost-effective technology demonstrator mission for the demonstration of in-space docking using two small spacecraft launched by PSLV. This technology is essential for India’s space ambitions such as Indian on Moon, sample return from the Moon, the building and operation of Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), etc. In-space docking technology is essential when multiple rocket launches are required to achieve common mission objectives.

The primary objective of the SpaDeX mission is to develop and demonstrate the technology needed for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft (SDX01, which is the Chaser, and SDX02, the Target, nominally) in a low-Earth circular orbit.

The SpaDeX spacecraft were designed and realized by the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) with the support of other ISRO centers (VSSC, LPSC, SAC, IISU, and LEOS). The spacecraft, in its orbital phase, will be controlled from ISTRAC using ISRO ground stations and other externally hired ground stations. The full integration and testing of the satellite were carried out at M/s Ananth Technologies, Bangalore, under the supervision of URSC.