Produced by: Manoj Kumar
ISRO’s SpaDex mission, the last mission of 2024, embarks on a daring space experiment, testing technologies crucial for India’s ambitious space station plans.
Twin spacecraft, SDX01 and SDX02, execute a high-speed pursuit in Earth’s orbit, a meticulous step toward perfecting docking—a hallmark of elite space programs.
Inspired by Interstellar, SpaDex must achieve flawless interlocking. One error could turn this final mission of 2024 into a high-stakes gamble for ISRO.
Separated by 20 kilometers, the spacecraft perform a synchronized orbital dance under precise ISRO control, showcasing India’s growing space expertise.
SpaDex will also test in-space power-sharing between docked spacecraft, a breakthrough step for robotic missions and extended orbital operations.
With POEM-4, ISRO tests a robotic arm for tethered debris capture, laying groundwork for the construction of India’s future space station.
Using a spent rocket stage, ISRO turns POEM-4 into a microgravity lab, offering extended opportunities for cutting-edge experiments by researchers and startups.
Mastering docking technology in this final mission of 2024 places India among the U.S., Russia, and China, the only nations capable of such complex feats.
As the clock ticks toward 2025, ISRO’s SpaDex lifts off, marking a triumphant conclusion to the year and heralding a new chapter in India’s space journey.