ISRO’s SpaDeX docking experiment postponed to January 9

PSLV C60 rocket was launched on December 30, 2024, carrying two small satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target). Photo: www.isro.gov.in

The docking of the two Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) satellites scheduled for January 7 has been postponed to January 9.

“The SpaDeX Docking scheduled on 7th is now postponed to 9th. The docking process requires further validation through ground simulations based on an abort scenario identified today. Stay tuned for updates,” the ISRO said in a post on Monday (January 6, 2025).

The ISRO was scheduled to carry out the docking experiment of the two small satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target) in the early morning of January 7.

Following the launch of the PSLV C60 rocket carrying two small satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target) on December 30, 2024, ISRO Chairman S. Somanth had announced that the docking process could happen in another week. “The nominal time will be approximately January 7,” Mr. Somanth said.

The postponement of the docking experiment by two days is not a cause of concern if the experiment is executed within the window that lasts till January 10.

After the satellite launch, U.R. Rao Satellite Centre Director M. Sanakaran said the docking is expected between January 7 and 10.

S. Somanath, Chairman, ISRO holding PSLV-C60 / SPADEX mission model after its successful launch at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
| Photo Credit:
B. Velankanni Raj

With the SpaDeX mission, the ISRO aims to exhibit technologies needed for spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking using two small satellites which have been mastered by only an elite group of spacefaring nations.

The demonstration of this technology is essential for futuristic missions such as sending an Indian astronaut on the Moon, sample return from the Moon, the building and operation of the Indian Space Station.