ISRO successfully undocks Spadex satellites
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully performed the de-docking of satellites as part of its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDEx), marking a major breakthrough for India’s space programme.
This achievement lays the foundation for future missions, including the Bharatiya Antriksha Station, Chandrayaan 4, and Gaganyaan.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh congratulated the team on X (formerly Twitter), adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “continuous patronage keeps the spirits soaring”.
ISRO launched the SpaDEx mission on December 30, 2024, to test crucial spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and de-docking technologies. The first successful docking was completed on January 16, following earlier trial attempts where the spacecraft were brought within three meters of each other before being moved back to a safe distance.
The de-docking maneuver, successfully executed after docking, is a critical capability required for autonomous spacecraft operations, including space station logistics, satellite servicing, and interplanetary missions.