New Delhi, Jan. 3 -- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched the SpaDeX mission, achieving a historic space docking feat. India is now the fourth country, after the US, Russia, and China, to master the docking technology.

The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission lifted off aboard the PSLV-C60 rocket from Sriharikota on December 30, 2024. SpaDeX is a pioneering mission to establish India's capability in orbital docking, a key technology for future human spaceflight and satellite servicing missions, ISRO said.

The PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) lifted off with two small spacecraft - SDX01, the Chaser, and SDX02, the Target - weighing about 220 kg each. The satellites merged or joined for docking...