India Achieves Successful Space Docking Mission

India has successfully achieved a significant milestone in space technology by completing the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), becoming the fourth country after the U.S., Russia, and China to do so. The experiment involved the docking of two ISRO satellites, Target and Chaser, which executed complex maneuvers to connect in low-earth orbit. This indigenous technology is crucial for future missions, including India's plans for its own space station and lunar explorations, enhancing its role in the $400 billion global space market. The docking process, initially postponed due to technical issues, was completed after successfully bringing the satellites within a 3-meter distance. Indian officials hailed the achievement as a testament to the country's engineering capabilities and ambition in space exploration. The success of SpaDeX is expected to pave the way for more advanced missions, including in-orbit servicing and assembly, and the Chandrayaan-4 mission aimed at lunar sample return.