SPADEX

SPADEX or Space Docking Experiment is a twin spacecraft mission being developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to mature technologies related to orbital rendezvous, docking, formation flying, with scope of applications in human spaceflight, in-space satellite servicing and other proximity operations.

SPADEX campaign would consist of two IMS class-2 class (200 kg) satellites, one would be Chaser and other being Target and both would be launched as co-passengers or auxiliary payloads. Both spacecraft would be injected into slightly different orbits.

Space Docking Experiment is currently scheduled for launch from Satish Dhawan Space Centre aboard a dedicated Polar Satellite launch Vehicle.flight by the end of 2024

Objectives

 * Autonomous rendezvous and docking
 * Controlling one spacecraft with Attitude Control System of other spacecraft while in docked configuration.
 * Formation flying
 * Remote robotic arm operations

Status
With preliminary studies done in 2016, Space Docking Experiment was approved by the Government of India with an initial funding of ₹10 crore cleared in 2017. In June 2019, ISRO was looking for proposals to study remote robotic arm operation, rendezvous and docking related technologies on its PSLV fourth stage (PS4) orbital platform.

, Space Docking Experiment has been sanctioned inr 1244700000 in funding and is aiming for launch in third quarter of 2024.