ISRO’s Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) has marked a pivotal achievement in space technology, positioning India among the global leaders in space docking.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh hailed the mission as a landmark moment during a press briefing in New Delhi, following the successful launch of PSLV-C60 from Sriharikota on Monday.
Dr. Singh emphasized that SPADEX is a critical ISRO mission focused on developing and demonstrating key technologies for spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking.
Using two small satellites, the mission aims to advance capabilities vital for satellite servicing, space station operations, and interplanetary exploration.
Highlighting the mission’s primary objectives, Dr. Singh noted that SPADEX will demonstrate technology for spacecraft rendezvous and docking, showcase controllability in docked conditions to extend the lifespan of target spacecraft, and test power transfer between docked satellites.
He added that post-docking activities would include independent payload operations by the spacecraft, with docking expected to occur on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
Dr. Singh also underscored a significant collaboration between ISRO and the Department of Biotechnology, focusing on “space-biology” to study physiological changes in space environments, with India aiming to lead in this emerging field under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Reflecting on the evolution of India’s space journey, Dr. Singh credited Prime Minister Modi’s vision for opening the space sector to private industry through the 2023 New Space Policy, which has accelerated innovation and private sector participation.
The policy’s impact has been evident in the rapid growth of space startups, which have surged from just a handful in 2021 to nearly 300 by 2023.
Notable startups like AgniKul Cosmos and Skyroot Aerospace have attracted global attention, establishing private launchpads and executing key missions on ISRO’s premises.
Dr. Singh highlighted India’s burgeoning space economy, valued at $8.4 billion in 2023, with projections to grow to $44 billion by 2033.
Investments in the sector reached ₹1000 crore in 2023 alone, positioning India as a major player on the global stage.
Looking ahead, Dr. Singh outlined a series of ambitious milestones, including advancements in NAVIC satellite technology in January 2025, the launch of a US satellite for mobile communication in February 2025, and Vyommitra, a female humanoid robot, performing astronaut-like tasks for the Gaganyaan mission.
He also mentioned India’s first crewed Gaganyaan mission set for 2026, the launch of India’s own space station, Bharat Antariksh, in 2035, and plans for India to land its first astronaut on the moon by 2047.
Dr. Singh also highlighted significant achievements from 2024, including the successful Aditya L1 solar mission and the launch of satellites for international clients.
He stressed the growing global reliance on ISRO’s satellite launch services, noting that 85% of the €220 million earned through launching foreign satellites over the past eight years came from ISRO’s recent efforts.
Moreover, Dr. Singh emphasised the broad application of space technologies in various sectors such as agriculture, defense, water management, and infrastructure development.
Initiatives like Mission Mausam, aimed at enhancing weather forecasting, further demonstrate India’s growing capabilities in space technology.
