Sun Dec 22 08:27:39 UTC 2024: ## India Poised to Join Elite Space Club with Upcoming SpaDeX Mission
**Bengaluru, India (December 22, 2024)** – The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is on the verge of a significant leap in its space capabilities. The agency is preparing to launch the SpaDeX mission, a crucial step towards mastering in-space docking technology. This technology is vital for the future construction and operation of the ambitious ‘Bharatiya Antariksh Station’, India’s planned space station.
SpaDeX will involve two 220 kg satellites, “Chaser” and “Target,” launched simultaneously by the PSLV C60 rocket into a 470-km orbit. The primary objective is to demonstrate successful docking and undocking maneuvers while the satellites are in motion. This successful demonstration would place India among only four countries globally with this advanced space technology.
Beyond the docking, the mission will also test inter-satellite power transfer and coordinated control, paving the way for more complex space operations, including in-space robotics. While ISRO hasn’t yet confirmed the launch date, it is expected sometime in December 2024. The successful completion of SpaDeX represents a major milestone in India’s burgeoning space program and its ambitions for future space exploration.
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