The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone on Monday by successfully launching PSLV-C60 with SpaDeX and innovative payloads from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.  

This year-end mission is historic as ISRO aims to achieve the rare feat of docking or merging two satellites in space, an initiative named the “Space Docking Experiment” (SpaDeX).  

The PSLV-C60 mission demonstrated normal performance during its first stage. SpaDeX is a cost-effective technology demonstrator mission, designed to showcase in-space docking using two small spacecraft launched by the PSLV. The mission’s primary goal is to develop and demonstrate the technology for rendezvous, docking, and undocking two small spacecraft—SDX01 (the Chaser) and SDX02 (the Target)—in a low-Earth circular orbit.  

This technological challenge, mastered by only a few nations, employs indigenous technology known as the “Bharatiya Docking System.”  

“The success of this mission is vital for India’s future space ambitions,” Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said earlier.  

Docking technology is crucial for long-term missions like “Chandrayaan-4,” the planned Indian space station, and the ambitious manned “Gaganyaan” mission.