ISRO Acquires 400kg Satellites for SPADEX Mission

Recently, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) purchased two 400 kilogram satellites for the Space Docking Experiment, or SPADEX, a significant project. As a crucial first step for future space missions, this project seeks to show that two satellites can dock in orbit.

SPADEX Mission Overview

• Deploys First Dual-Use Satellite on Single Rocket to Two Different Orbits
• @30,000 km/h satellites line up and execute a 'space handshake' to merge into one unit in orbit.
• Docking technology is essential for many space activities, such as transferring crew and cargo safely.
• SPADEX validates the capability for autonomous rendezvous and docking, important for space station assembly and servicing.
• ATL contributed significantly in the mission by assembling, integrating and testing both the satellites at their Bengaluru facility.
• ISRO and ATL Partnership: The collaboration has proven to be successful due to the reforms in recent years, which aimed at boosting innovation as well as efficiency amongst private players for satellite manufacturing and space missions;
• The technologies being tested are very crucial for India's own space station, which is expected to be ready in orbit by 2028.
• At Sriharikota, satellites will undergo integration and fuelling prior to their launch at the Indian Spaceport.