January 16, 2025: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has scripted history by successfully docking its SpaDeX satellites in space, marking a monumental achievement in the nation’s space exploration journey. With this success, India has become the fourth country to accomplish such a complex and advanced operation, joining the ranks of the United States, Russia, and China.

The docking process, which was part of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission, began with the launch of the satellites on December 30, 2024. The mission reached a critical milestone on January 12 when ISRO conducted a trial that brought the satellites to within three meters of each other before moving them back to a safe distance. This meticulous preparation paved the way for the successful docking completed on Thursday.

In an enthusiastic post on 'X' (formerly Twitter), ISRO shared the good news, stating, "India docked its name in space history! Good Morning India! ISRO's SpaDeX mission accomplishes historic docking success. Proud to witness this moment!"

The agency detailed the precise steps involved in the docking process. It began with maneuvering the satellites from a 15-meter distance to a 3-meter hold point. From there, the docking sequence was initiated, leading to a successful spacecraft capture. Retraction and rigidization followed, ensuring the stability of the docked satellites. ISRO confirmed that the two spacecraft are now functioning as a single unit, with undocking and power transfer checks scheduled in the days ahead.

This achievement underscores India’s growing expertise in cutting-edge space technologies and paves the way for future advancements in interplanetary exploration, crewed space missions, and space station development. The success of the SpaDeX mission is not just a testament to India’s technological prowess but also a symbol of its rising stature in the global space community.