By BlueShift | 2025-01-08

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) finished last year on a high note, launching twin satellites as a part of the country's first-ever space docking test flight.

As a part of its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), India launched two small satellites from a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) into low Earth orbit from ISRO's Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

"I'm really happy to announce the successful accomplishment of the launch of PSLV 60 for the SpaDeX mission," then-ISRO Chairman S. Somanath stated on December 30. "The rocket has placed the satellites in the right orbit."

The mission is "vital for India's future space ambitions," Jitendra Singh, the country's science and technology minister, said in a statement ahead of the launch.

Making history

The launch included a target (SDX02) and a chaser (SDX01) satellite.

Target and chaser satellites are used in space missions involving docking where two spacecraft maneuver to connect physically. The target satellite serves as a reference or object to be approached. The chaser satellite actively maneuvers toward the target using propulsion and sensors. Once connected, a chaser satellite can conduct refueling or transfer cargo.

The SpaDeX mission will test autonomous docking capabilities and practice transfer between spacecraft.

There is a payload module with 24 experiments aboard the PSLV, including a robotic arm. Once docking has occurred, scientists hope to test the payloads and other robotics through dual spacecraft control and power transfer between the docked spacecraft.

The docking mission will unfold throughout January and even has a live stream to show the docking in action.

It will involve a "precision rendezvous" of satellites orbiting Earth at speeds of 28,800km/h.

Their relative velocities will be reduced to 0.036 km/h so they can "merge to form a single unit in Space," ISRO said.

India plans to use this docking technology in Chandrayaan-4, a lunar sample collection mission slated for later in the 2020s.

Space ambitions

Demonstrating these docking capabilities is central to ISRO's plans for space exploration.

"This technology is essential for India's space ambitions," a statement on the ISRO website explains. "In-space docking technology is essential when multiple rocket launches are required to achieve common mission objectives."

"Through this mission, India is marching towards becoming the fourth country ... to have space docking technology," it said, after Russia, the United States and China.

India's space program has been fast developing impressive new technology.

The Indian government estimates its share of the current space market to be about $8 billion.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made sure that space exploration and technology have become a priority, driving deeper relations between ISRO and the private sector.

In 2023, Modi announced plans to send a man to the Moon by 2040.

The Indian government aims to drive market share up to $44 billion over the next decade.

In August 2023, India became the fourth nation to land an unmanned aircraft on the Moon, joining the United States, Russia and China.

India to launch US communication satellite

In the coming months, ISRO plans to launch a US satellite that will enable smartphone voice calls directly from space.

"In February or March we will be launching a US satellite for mobile communication, this satellite will enable voice communication on mobile phones," Singh said, according to an NDTV report. "It will be an interesting mission."

This launch will mark the first time a US company's communication satellite will be launched from an Indian rocket.

ISRO officials stated that the launch is a purely commercial endeavor, led by New Space India Limited.

The identity of the satellite operator planning to collaborate with ISRO has not yet been disclosed. However, NDTV reported that sources indicated Texas-based AST SpaceMobile would be partnering with ISRO for the launch.