Why in News? 

India has achieved a historic milestone as ISRO successfully docked two satellites in space, positioning the nation as the fourth globally to accomplish this feat, following the United States, Russia, and China. 

 SpaDeX Mission: Key Highlights 

Overview 

• Mission Name: SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) 
• Launch Date: December 30, 2024 
• Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota 
• Satellites: SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target) 
• Objective: Test and demonstrate spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking technologies. 

Recent Updates 

• On January 12, 2025, ISRO maneuvered the satellites to within 3 meters of each other and then returned them to a safe distance. 
• Data analysis is underway before conducting the full docking experiment. 

 Significance 

• This docking experiment is a landmark achievement for India, marking its foray into complex space technologies required for, 
  • Manned lunar missions, including sending Indian astronauts to the Moon. 
  • Sample return missions, paving the way for advanced planetary exploration. 
  • Indian Space Station development, a long-term goal for independent operations in space. 

If successful, this mission will position India as the fourth nation globally—joining the USA, Russia, and China—to accomplish satellite docking in space, reaffirming ISRO's place among the elite in space exploration.