Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Jan 16: Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, extended his congratulations to ISRO for the successful completion of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) utilizing the indigenous Bharatiya Docking System. This accomplishment marks a significant milestone for upcoming missions such as the Bhartiya Antriksh Station, Chandrayaan 4, and Gaganyaan, with support from PM Narendra Modi enhancing ISRO’s initiatives.
Today, Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh praised ISRO scientists and engineers for their success in the space docking experiment, stating it would clear the path for future missions, including the Bhartiya Antriksh Station. Singh, who is also the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, took to X to commend the scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
“Congratulations to ISRO. We finally did it. SpaDeX has achieved the incredible… docking complete… all thanks to the indigenous ‘Bharatiya Docking System’,” Singh remarked.
“This lays the foundation for the seamless execution of ambitious future missions, including the Bhartiya Antriksh Station, Chandrayaan 4, and Gaganyaan,” the Minister added.
Singh further noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unwavering support has kept the morale high at ISRO in Bengaluru.
The Indian space agency, ISRO, accomplished the docking of satellites during the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), a vital step towards numerous future missions, inclusive of the establishment of the Bhartiya Antriksh Station.
This historic achievement came shortly after the space agency, on January 12, executed a trial by bringing the two spacecraft to three meters before repositioning them back to a safe distance in its attempt to dock the satellites.
The SpaDeX mission was successfully launched on December 30, 2024.
ISRO documented the docking procedure of the SpaDeX satellites in a post on X, illustrating that it begins with the execution of a maneuver from a 15m to a 3m hold point.
Subsequently, the docking is initiated with precision, resulting in the successful capture of the spacecraft. “Retraction completed seamlessly, followed by rigidization for stability. Docking successfully completed,” the organization stated.
Significantly, India has become the fourth nation to achieve this successful space docking feat after the United States, Russia, and China.
