PM Modi happy with the success of ISRO's SpaDeX mission, praised and congratulated the scientists

New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated the scientists and engineers of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on the successful docking of two satellites in space. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) today successfully 'docked' satellites under the 'Space Docking Experiment' (SPADEX). This is an important step towards many future missions including the establishment of the Indian Space Station.

Along with this, the Prime Minister said in a post on the social media platform 'X', “Congratulations to all the scientists of ISRO and the entire space fraternity for the successful demonstration of space docking of satellites. “This is an important step forward for India’s ambitious space missions in the coming years.”

Congratulations to our scientists at @isro and the entire space fraternity for the successful demonstration of space docking of satellites. It is a significant stepping stone for India’s ambitious space missions in the years to come.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 16, 2025

The space agency also announced that, after 'docking', the process of establishing control over the two satellites as one object was also successful. ISRO said in a post on social media platform 'X', “India has registered its name in space history.” Good morning India, ISRO's Spacex mission has achieved historic success in 'docking'. Feeling proud to witness this moment.”

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SpaDeX Docking Update:

Post docking, control of two satellites as a single object is successful.

Undocking and power transfer checks to follow in coming days.

#SPADEX #ISRO

— ISRO (@isro) January 16, 2025

With the successful 'docking' of satellites, India has become the fourth country to achieve this feat after America, Russia and China. 'Docking' is the process of connecting two satellites in space. This can then be followed by delivery of crew members, supplies and equipment between the two satellites.

Let us tell you that earlier on January 12, ISRO had brought two spacecraft to a distance of three meters as part of a test to 'dock' the satellites and then sent them back to a safe distance. ISRO successfully launched the 'Space Docking Experiment' (SPADEX) mission on December 30, 2024. The PSLV C60 rocket carrying two small satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target) along with 24 payloads, took off from the first 'launchpad' of the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota and about 220 km/h after 15 minutes of lift-off. Two small spacecraft weighing about a kilogram were launched into a circular orbit of 475 kilometers in a targeted manner.

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According to ISRO, the SpaceX mission is a cost-effective technology mission for 'docking' in space using two small spacecraft which was launched through PSLV. 'Docking' technology in space is necessary when multiple rocket launches are required to achieve common mission objectives. This technology is essential for India's space ambitions such as Indian mission to the Moon, bringing back samples from the Moon, construction and operation of the Indian Space Station (BAS), etc. Through this mission, India has become the fourth country in the world to have space docking technology.

(with agency input)