No glitches in SpaDeX mission, says ISRO chief
What's the story
ISRO Chairman V Narayanan has rubbished reports of technical problems with the agency's first-ever space docking mission, SpaDeX.
He confirmed the mission is on track and under review.
"No glitches, right now it is docked. We are going step by step," Narayanan said at the 15th Biennial Edition of Aero India International Seminar, 2025.
Mission progress
SpaDeX mission's successful docking and control
On January 16, ISRO successfully executed the docking of two satellites as part of the SpaDeX mission.
Subsequently, the agency announced that it had effectively gained control over both satellites as a single entity.
The NVS-02 navigation satellite was also successfully placed into its intended Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit during this mission.
Undocking review
ISRO addresses concerns over undocking delay
Despite recent reports indicating possible technical issues with the two spacecraft — SDX-01 and SDX-02 — remaining docked, Narayanan clarified that ISRO is still reviewing the undocking process.
He emphasized that this procedure could take some time, assuaging concerns about any perceived delays in the mission's progress.
Mission importance
SpaDeX mission's significance for future ISRO projects
Launched using a PSLV rocket, the SpaDeX mission is a cost-effective technology demonstrator for in-space docking using two small spacecraft.
This technology is essential when multiple rocket launches are required to meet common mission objectives.
The success of this experiment has major implications for future ISRO missions such as the Bharatiya Antariksh Station and landing an astronaut on the Moon.