SRO Successfully Conducts Rolling Test Under SpaDeX Mission

New Delhi : The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully completed the Rolling experiment as part of its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission. Confirming this achievement, ISRO chairman V Narayanan stated that ISRO will need to dock in various conditions, some of which will be attempted as part of the current mission. The successful execution of this experiment marks a crucial step forward in India’s space technology advancements.

The “Rolling” or “Rotating” experiment involves the circumnavigation of one of the satellites to verify control over satellite maneuvering. This experiment is designed to help ISRO understand the complexities of bringing an object to a desired location from different orientations for docking. Additionally, it will provide insights into whether docking can be achieved in a vertical orientation and under varying conditions, a critical requirement for upcoming space exploration missions.

The data gathered from this experiment will be instrumental in refining ISRO’s docking technology, which is essential for future space missions, including Chandrayaan-4. It will also validate multiple software and ground station controls, ensuring precision and reliability in autonomous docking procedures.

With the advancement of the SpaDeX mission, ISRO is steadily progressing toward mastering space docking technology, which is crucial for sustained human spaceflight programs, space station developments, and interplanetary missions. The success of the Rolling experiment showcases India’s growing expertise in satellite maneuvering and docking—an area dominated by global space leaders such as NASA, Roscosmos, and ESA.

Earlier, on March 13, ISRO had completed the undocking of two satellites as a part of the SpaDeX mission, marking a significant milestone in India’s space exploration journey. The undocking was a crucial step toward understanding controlled separation and re-docking capabilities in space, paving the way for more advanced experiments in autonomous docking technology.

The ISRO Chairman V Narayanan confirmed that more docking maneuvers will be conducted as part of SpaDeX. These future experiments will test various conditions and docking configurations, further enhancing India’s capabilities in space rendezvous and docking technology.