isro-to-separate-and-re-dock-spadex-satellites-in-march

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to resume experiments on the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission from March 15, focusing on separating and re-docking two satellites as part of efforts to refine docking technologies for future space endeavours.

 

The SpaDeX mission, launched on 30 December 2024, placed two satellites—SDX01 and SDX02—into orbit to demonstrate docking capabilities.

 

After multiple attempts, ISRO successfully docked the two satellites on 16 January 2025.

ISRO successfully completed docking of two SPADEX satellites (SDX-01 & SDX-02) in the early hours of 16 January, 2025.#SPADEX #ISRO pic.twitter.com/UJrWpMLxmh

— ISRO (@isro) January 17, 2025

The separation of SPADEX A & B satellites has been Confirmed! 🎉#ISRO #SPADEX pic.twitter.com/uzj2SXpDeb

— ISRO InSight (@ISROSight) December 30, 2024

 

"Currently, the unified satellite is in an elliptical orbit. So, we get a 10-15 day window once in two months to conduct various experiments," ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said on the sidelines of the National Science Day celebrations in New Delhi.

 

Narayanan confirmed that the next experimental window for SpaDeX begins on 15 March, during which ISRO will attempt to separate and re-dock the satellites.

 

"Right now, we are doing simulation experiments for separation of satellites and re-docking them. We have charted out a plan and will start the actual experiments from March 15," he said.

Also read: ISRO Chairman confirms no glitches in SpaDeX mission

 

Ahead of the mission’s launch, ISRO had stated that following successful docking and rigidisation, it intended to demonstrate electrical power transfer between the two satellites before conducting undocking and separation tests.

 

Multiple experiments planned

 

With a significant amount of onboard propellant, ISRO plans to conduct several more experiments in subsequent operational windows.

"We want to do multiple experiments. There is a lot of propellant onboard. We also have experiments lined up for the third slot, which will be available after two months," Narayanan said.

 

The SpaDeX mission is expected to lay the groundwork for crucial future projects, including Chandrayaan-4 and the development of the Bharat Antariksha Station, both of which require sophisticated docking technologies.

 

Earlier in the day, Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh flagged off the e-Tractor and e-Tiller, developed by CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, Durgapur.

Also read: ISRO’s 100th mission successfully launched