India has etched its name in space history as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully docked two satellites under its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission. This milestone makes India the fourth country, after the United States, Russia, and China, to achieve in-space docking, marking a giant leap for the nation's space capabilities.

The SpaDeX mission, launched on December 30, 2024, aboard the PSLV C60 rocket, carried two small satellites—SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target)—along with 24 payloads. Weighing 220 kg each, these satellites were inserted into a 475 km circular orbit just 15 minutes after liftoff from Sriharikota's Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

The docking process involved a series of precise maneuvers. Beginning at a 15-meter separation, the satellites were brought to a 3-meter hold point. Docking was initiated with accuracy, followed by spacecraft capture, retraction, and rigidization to ensure stability. This complex process culminated in a successful connection, allowing the satellites to function as a single object.

Post-docking, ISRO confirmed successful control of the combined spacecraft and announced forthcoming checks on undocking and power transfer. The mission demonstrates a cost-effective approach to in-space docking, which is critical for multi-rocket launches targeting shared objectives.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded ISRO, calling it a “significant stepping stone” for India's future space endeavors.