SpaDeX
SpaDeX Chaser (SDX01) and Target (SDX02) spacecrafts during testing | |
| Mission type | Rendezvous and Docking |
|---|---|
| Operator | ISRO |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | Modified IMS-1 |
| Manufacturer | U R Rao Satellite Centre (ISRO) Ananth Technologies |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 30 December 2024, 10:00 PM IST (16:30 UTC) |
| Rocket | PSLV-CA C60 |
| Launch site | Satish Dhawan Space Centre FLP |
| Contractor | ISRO |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Altitude | 460 kilometres |
| Inclination | 45° |
SpaDeX or Space Docking Experiment is a twin satellite mission developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to mature and demonstrate technologies related to orbital rendezvous, docking, formation flying, which will have future applications in areas such as human spaceflight, in-space satellite servicing and other proximity operations.
SpaDeX consists of two modified IMS-1 class satellites weighing 220 kg each. During proximity operations one spacecraft acts as a Chaser and other acts as a Target.
Both spacecraft were launched together from the First Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre aboard a dedicated Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle on 30 December 2024 at 16:30:15 UTC and subsequently injected into slightly different orbits.
After deployment, the two spacecraft then executed manoeuvres to bring them together again. The Chaser (SDX01) approached the target (SDX02) and then carried out precision manoeuvres to complete a successful docking. With this success, India became one of the few countries in the world to have achieved a successful in-space docking using indigenous technology.