Bengaluru, Mar 13 (UNI) In yet another giant step for India’s space ambitions, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully completed the undocking of its Space Docking Experiment (Spadex) modules.
This marks a major achievement in India’s space technology, bringing the country closer to advanced space missions, including future space stations.
ISRO’s Spadex mission, launched on December 30, 2024, aboard PSLV-C60, was designed to test the ability of two spacecraft to dock with each other in orbit—something only a handful of countries have achieved. The two satellites, SDX-1 and SDX-2, successfully docked on January 16, 2025, making India the fourth nation in the world to demonstrate this complex space maneuver after the USA, Russia, and China.
After weeks in a docked state, ISRO scientists successfully carried out a carefully planned undocking process. The sequence involved extending SDX-2 to create separation, releasing Capture Lever 3 as scheduled, disengaging the Capture Lever in SDX-2, and issuing the final decapture command in both SDX-1 and SDX-2, ensuring a smooth and controlled separation.
With all these steps successfully completed, Spadex undocked! ISRO shared the news on social media, calling it a “spectacular success” and congratulating its team. Stunning visuals of the undocking were captured by both spacecraft, giving the world a glimpse of this milestone achievement.
The Spadex mission marks a significant leap for India’s space programme, enabling ISRO to develop key technologies for future advancements. It paves the way for the development of Indian space stations, facilitates in-orbit satellite repairs, and supports the possibility of human space missions, strengthening India’s position in global space exploration.
