India achieves milestone in space docking, paves way for future interplanetary missions

Bengaluru: In a momentous achievement, India has successfully completed its first space docking mission under the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX).

The historic event marks India as the fourth country globally to achieve this technological milestone.

The docking procedure involved manoeuvring the spacecraft from a 15-metre hold point to a 3-metre hold point with precision. The docking process was meticulously executed, ensuring successful spacecraft capture, followed by smooth retraction and rigidisation for stability.

"Spacecraft docking successfully completed! A historic moment. Let’s walk through the SpaDeX docking process: Manoeuvre from 15m to 3m hold point completed. Docking initiated with precision, leading to successful spacecraft capture. Retraction completed smoothly, followed by rigidisation for stability. Docking successfully completed. India became the 4th country to achieve successful Space Docking," ISRO announced on Wednesday in an X post.

<

SpaDeX Docking Update:

Docking Success

Spacecraft docking successfully completed! A historic moment.

Let’s walk through the SpaDeX docking process:

Manoeuvre from 15m to 3m hold point completed. Docking initiated with precision, leading to successful spacecraft capture.…

— ISRO (@isro) January 16, 2025 >

This groundbreaking success underscores the expertise of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in advancing space technologies.

Congratulating the team, ISRO officials hailed the accomplishment as a significant step forward in India’s space exploration capabilities. "Congratulations to the entire team! Congratulations to India!" ISRO said.

With SpaDeX, India has opened a new chapter in space docking technology, paving the way for future interplanetary missions and space station collaborations.