| Space Docking Experiment | |
| Operator: | ISRO |
| Spacecraft Bus: | IMS |
| Manufacturer: | ISRO |
| Launch Date: | December 20 2024 [1] |
| Launch Rocket: | PSLV-XL C60 |
| Launch Site: | Satish Dhawan Space Centre |
| Launch Contractor: | ISRO |
SPADEX or Space Docking Experiment is a twin satellite mission being developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to mature technologies related to orbital rendezvous, docking, formation flying, with scope of applications in human spaceflight, in-space satellite servicing and other proximity operations.
SPADEX campaign would consist of two IMS class-2 class (400 kg) satellites, one would be Chaser and other being Target and both would be launched as co-passengers or auxiliary payloads.[2] Both satellite would be injected into slightly different orbits.
The mission will be launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre aboard a dedicated Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle on 20 December 2024.[3]
With preliminary studies done in 2016, Space Docking Experiment was approved by the Government of India with an initial funding of ₹10 crore cleared in 2017. In June 2019, ISRO was looking for proposals to study remote robotic arm operation, rendezvous and docking related technologies on its PSLV fourth stage (PS4) orbital platform.
, Space Docking Experiment has been sanctioned in funding.
The launch of SPADEX is scheduled for mid-December 2024. 'Chaser' and 'Target' are the names of the two 400 kilogram satellites that will engage in docking at an altitude of roughly 700 km.[4]
In less than three months, Ananth Technologies Limited finished the satellite assembly, integration, and testing for ISRO, delivering them to the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC).[5] As per S. Somanath, docking is a crucial component of Chandrayaan-4 and that ISRO intended SPADEX as a forerunner. Satellites for the SPADEX mission are being further tested as of October 2024. All the testing process will be finished by November 2024. Complete simulation demonstration will be performed on it. Before December 15, 2024, the launch will take place. Both the planned Bharatiya Antariksha Station and Gaganyaan space flights depend on the mission's success.[6]