India placed as global leader in ‘space docking’: Dr Jitendra

New Delhi, Dec 31: In a landmark achievement for India’s space exploration ambitions, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) mission with the PSLV-C60 rocket from Sriharikota on December 30. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh hailed the endeavour as a milestone, saying this has positioned India alongside global leaders in space docking technology.
Addressing a press conference here, Dr Singh detailed the mission’s goals and its transformative impact on India’s presence in the astrophysical realm. He said SPADEX aims to demonstrate and advance crucial technologies for spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking using two small satellites.
According to Dr Jitendra, these capabilities are vital for future endeavours such as satellite servicing, space station operations, and even interplanetary exploration. “The mission includes objectives like demonstrating rendezvous technology and testing power transfer between docked satellites, which are fundamental for extending the operational life of spacecraft,” he said, adding that the docking is anticipated to occur on January 7, 2025.
The minister highlighted a strategic collaboration between the Department of Biotechnology and ISRO, focusing on the intersection of biology and space. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr Singh said India is committed to emerge as a leader in ‘Space-Biology’ by studying physiological changes that occur in space environments.
Reflecting on India’s evolving space narrative, Dr Singh credited the Prime Minister for unveiling the sector from decades of secrecy, facilitating resource allocation and innovation. The introduction of the 2023 New Space Policy, which encourages private sector involvement in ISRO’s activities, has catalysed rapid growth in space startups—growing from a mere handful to nearly 300 in just two years, he added.
As the space economy is projected to expand from $8.4 billion in 2023 to $44 billion by 2033, the minister detailed an ambitious roadmap for India’s space endeavors. This includes advancements in the NAVIC navigation system, the launch of a US communication satellite, the Gaganyaan mission featuring a humanoid robot, and plans for India’s first crewed mission by 2026. Additionally, by 2047, India aims to send its first astronaut to the moon.
Dr Jitendra mentioned the foreign exchange benefits derived from India’s space sector, with ISRO generating €220 million from launching foreign satellites, saying this underscores its global appeal to countries such as the USA, France, and Japan.
Concluding his address, the union minister expressed profound optimism for the future. “With the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s capabilities in space science are peaking, setting the stage for exceptional contributions to global space exploration in the years to come,” he asserted.