ISRO advances space docking capability with SPADEX missions to support Gaganyaan, space station plans
Orbital experiments to enable crew transfer, module docking, and in-space operations
New Delhi: India is accelerating the development of critical space docking technologies through a series of planned orbital experiments aimed at supporting future crewed missions and the proposed Bharatiya space station, the government informed the parliament on Monday.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Minister for Space Dr Jitendra Singh said ISRO is studying two key docking missions – SPADEX-2 and SPADEX-3 – to validate complex rendezvous and docking capabilities in orbit.
SPADEX-2 will simulate docking in a highly elliptical orbit, aligned with requirements of the proposed Chandrayaan-4 lunar sample return mission, including the capability for sample transfer between spacecraft modules.
SPADEX-3 will focus on docking in a circular orbit as a precursor to operations in the planned Bharatiya Antariksh Station, using the indigenous Bharatiya Docking System.
The missions aim to demonstrate technologies essential for crewed spaceflight, including spacecraft rendezvous, docking and undocking, and transfer of crew, propellant, fluids, and power between modules.
Successful validation of these capabilities is expected to enable complex in-orbit operations such as docking of Gaganyaan modules with space stations and routine crew transfer missions.
The government also highlighted opportunities for academic institutions and national laboratories to contribute to the development of docking-related technologies, including payload design, algorithm development, and experimental systems.
Academic participation in India’s space programme continues through funded research proposals, with institutions already contributing to missions such as Aditya-L1 through payload development.
The Centre said there is significant scope for expanding academic and research collaboration to support next-generation space missions and indigenous technology development.
