New Delhi: By properly completing the de-docking of its SpaDeX satellites, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has reached a major milestone. Conducted on March 13, 2025, this operation represents a significant advancement for India’s ambitious space goals, including the building of its own space station, Chandrayaan-4, and the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program.
Launched on December 30, 2024, the SpaDeX mission aimed to showcase two tiny satellites, SDX01 and SDX02, space docking technologies. On January 16, 2025, these satellites—called the Chaser and Target—were successfully docked. Both satellites are presently orbiting alone with normal health metrics; the most recent de-docking process occurred in a 460 km circular orbit with a 45-degree inclination.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, commended the ISRO team for this accomplishment,, saying it opens the path for the next missions. He underlined how much the ongoing backing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has helped to raise space sector morale.
Leveraging the success of this mission to improve its capacities in satellite servicing, space station assembly, and deep space exploration, ISRO intends to carry out additional experiments with these satellites. This success places India in the top group of countries that have effectively carried out sophisticated docking and undocking procedures in space.
Spadex undocking captured from both SDX-1 & SDX-2! 🛰️🛰️🎥
Watch the spectacular views of this successful separation in orbit.
Congratulations to India on this milestone! 🇮🇳✨ #Spadex #ISRO #SpaceTech pic.twitter.com/7u158tgKSG
— ISRO (@isro) March 13, 2025