ISRO Successfully Completes SpaDeX Satellites' De-Docking Milestone

The achievement positions India for ambitious future missions, including Chandrayaan-4, Gaganyaan, and a potential space station.

ISRO achieved the successful de-docking of the SpaDeX satellites, SDX-01 and SDX-02, on March 13, 2025, marking a critical step in space technology development.
The satellites, weighing 220 kg each, were launched into orbit on December 30, 2024, and docked on January 16, making India the fourth country to achieve in-space docking after the US, Russia, and China.
The de-docking operation was conducted in a 460 km circular orbit and was monitored through ground stations in Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Mauritius.
The SpaDeX mission serves as a cost-effective technology demonstrator for rendezvous, docking, and undocking capabilities, essential for future space exploration and station-building efforts.
This milestone paves the way for upcoming missions, including the Chandrayaan-4 lunar exploration, the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, and the development of the Bharatiya Antriksha Station.