Mon Dec 30 19:21:13 UTC 2024: ## India Successfully Launches First Space Docking Experiment

**Sriharikota, India** – The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its PSLV-C60 rocket carrying the pioneering Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) on December 30th at 10:00 PM IST. The mission deployed two spacecraft, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), which will perform a series of complex maneuvers culminating in a historic docking.

This marks a significant milestone for India’s space program, placing it alongside the US, Russia, and China in mastering autonomous space docking technology. ISRO Chairman Dr. S Somanath confirmed the successful launch and deployment of the satellites, praising the innovative and cost-effective nature of the mission.

The SpaDeX mission is crucial for future advancements, including satellite servicing and the construction of India’s planned space station, Bharatiya Antariksh Station. The technology will also be vital for future lunar missions, such as Chandrayaan-4, where autonomous docking is essential for tasks like lunar sample retrieval.

While a brief two-minute delay occurred due to space traffic, the launch proceeded flawlessly. ISRO will monitor the spacecraft over the next four days as they prepare for docking, a process requiring a high degree of precision using a differential GNSS-based Satellite Positioning System for accurate positioning. The successful docking is expected within the next few days. The PSLV-C60 also carried 24 secondary payloads for various space experiments.

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