The launch of two satellites for the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) has marked a significant milestone for India’s space sector. These satellites, built independently by the industry under the guidance of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) engineers, represent a pioneering achievement.
The two spacecraft — SDX01 (chaser) and SDX02 (target) — each weighing 220 kg, were integrated and tested by Ananth Technologies Limited (ATL), a company that has collaborated with ISRO on numerous projects over the years.
“For the first time, large satellites have been independently developed, integrated, and tested by the industry,” remarked M Shankaran, Director of the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC). His statement followed the successful deployment of the satellites into a 476 km circular orbit by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C60) on Monday night.
“This achievement sets a precedent for the industry to take on more such satellite projects independently in the future,” he added.
The Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) processes for the satellites were carried out at ATL’s advanced facility in the KIADB Aerospace Park, Bengaluru. Spanning 10,000 square meters, this state-of-the-art facility is designed to manufacture electronic subsystems and simultaneously integrate up to four large satellites.
The SpaDeX mission underscores India’s growing capability to achieve on-orbit docking, a critical technology for future human and deep-space missions. This mission represents a major step forward in India’s space exploration journey, with applications ranging from human spaceflight and deep-space exploration to satellite repair, refueling, and upgrades.
Key objectives of the mission include:
- Demonstrating autonomous rendezvous and docking technology.
- Controlling one spacecraft using the Attitude Control System of the other in a docked configuration.
- Formation flying and operating a remote robotic arm.
Highlighting ATL’s contribution, Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri, Chairman and Managing Director of ATL, stated, “Participating in this milestone mission showcases ATL’s commitment to India’s human space program. It reflects our evolution from subsystem manufacturing to full satellite and launch vehicle integration.”
The docking of the two satellites is scheduled for the morning of January 7 next year, which would make India the fourth nation to master such sophisticated space technologies.