India successfully launched the SpaDeX mission on December 30, 2024, using a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

The mission aims to test crucial docking technologies for India’s future space endeavors, such as lunar sample return missions and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS).

The spacecraft involved include two 220-kilogram units, SDX01 (chaser) and SDX02 (target), which will demonstrate on-orbit docking with advanced sensors.

The mission also carried 24 experiments, including robotic arms and plant research modules, Space News has reported.

SpaDeX is part of India’s broader space program, including plans for human spaceflight by 2026 and lunar missions by 2027-2028.

Written by B.C. Begley