India to Join Elite Space Club with ‘Spadex’ Mission Launch on Dec 30

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 27th Dec. India is set to join an exclusive group of nations—United States, Russia, and China—that possess the capability to dock two spacecraft in outer space. On December 30, India will launch its ‘Spadex’ mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, marking a major milestone in the nation’s space journey.

The mission will involve launching two small spacecraft simultaneously aboard the PSLV-C60 rocket. If successful, India will become the fourth country to achieve this feat. The launch will demonstrate India’s ability to “dock” and “undock” spacecraft in space, a crucial step for future ambitious missions, such as retrieving lunar samples and building the Indian Space Station (BAS).

The mission is scheduled for 9:58 PM IST, with both spacecraft positioned in low-Earth orbit at an altitude of around 470 kilometers. The spacecraft will be placed in a circular orbit, with an inclination of 55 degrees toward Earth. Over the next 24 hours, the two spacecraft will drift apart by about 20 kilometers, after which the team at ISRO’s Mission Control in Bengaluru will begin the complex docking and undocking process.

Those interested in witnessing this historic moment can register through ISRO’s website. Registration opened on Monday evening for the launch view gallery.

ISRO has already shared a video on its X account, showing the PSLV-C60 rocket being transported to the launch pad, further building excitement for the upcoming mission.