SOURCE: AFI
In a remarkable display of technological prowess, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted a sophisticated mock “dogfight” in space, utilizing its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target). This high-stakes maneuver, reported on May 4, 2025, by Deccan Herald, involved precise, close-quarters orbital maneuvers at speeds of 28,800 km/h, approximately 28 times faster than a commercial jet, in a low Earth orbit 475–500 km above Earth. T
he operation, metaphorically termed a “dogfight” due to its resemblance to aerial combat maneuvers, showcases India’s growing capabilities in autonomous satellite operations and positions it as a formidable player in space technology, following in the footsteps of China, which conducted similar exercises in 2024. This article explores the significance of ISRO’s achievement, the technical details of the SpaDeX mission, and its implications for India’s space ambitions, amidst regional tensions with China and Pakistan.
Launched on December 30, 2024, aboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C60) from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, the SpaDeX mission aimed to demonstrate critical technologies for orbital rendezvous, docking, undocking, and formation flying. The mission involves two 220-kg microsatellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), designed by the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) with support from other ISRO centers. These satellites, orbiting at a 55° inclination, have successfully executed multiple milestones, including docking on January 16, 2025, undocking on March 13, 2025, and a second docking on April 20, 2025, followed by a power transfer demonstration on April 21, 2025.
The mock “dogfight,” conducted in early May 2025, utilized the satellites’ remaining 50% fuel reserves to perform autonomous, close-proximity maneuvers, described as a “strategic, close-quarters maneuvering of spacecraft” akin to fighter jet dogfights. ISRO Chairman Dr. V Narayanan emphasized that the satellites executed rendezvous and proximity operations with precision, autonomously adjusting their orbits after days of manual corrections. The maneuver involved reducing the inter-satellite distance to as little as 3 meters, requiring exact alignment and navigation supported by the indigenously developed Bhartiya Docking System (BDS), proximity sensors, laser rangefinders, and an Inter-Satellite Communication Link (ISL).
This operation was not a combat simulation but a demonstration of advanced orbital control, with applications for civilian missions like satellite servicing, space station assembly, and lunar sample return. However, its dual-use potential sparked discussions on X, with users noting its strategic significance in countering regional rivals like China, which has practiced similar maneuvers. One post stated, “ISRO’s satellite docking, achieved via the SpaDeX mission, involves precise maneuvers at high speeds, metaphorically called ‘dogfights.’ It’s for civilian goals like space stations, not combat. Similar to China’s tech, it has dual-use potential but no military intent is confirmed.”
The SpaDeX dogfight required extraordinary precision, given the satellites’ high velocity (28,800 km/h) and small size (220 kg each), which demanded finer control compared to larger spacecraft. The BDS, based on the International Docking System Standard (IDSS) but using only two motors instead of 24, ensured secure connections at a relative velocity of 10 mm/s during docking. Real-time navigation relied on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based orbit determination, autonomous rendezvous algorithms, and a sensor suite, enabling the Chaser to approach the Target from distances as far as 20 km to just 3 meters.
The maneuver followed a series of carefully orchestrated steps. Initially, the satellites were separated by 10–20 km after launch, with subsequent maneuvers reducing the gap to 5 km, 1.5 km, 500 m, 225 m, 15 m, and finally 3 m. The “dogfight” phase involved rapid, autonomous adjustments to maintain proximity and avoid collisions, a feat ISRO described as an “exciting handshake” in space. The mission’s success was monitored from ground stations in Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Mauritius, with telemetry support from the Italian company Leaf Space.
ISRO’s ability to conduct these maneuvers with a budget of ?225 crore (approximately $27 million) underscores its cost-effectiveness, a hallmark of its missions. The involvement of private players like Ananth Technologies, which provided Rendezvous Processing Units and completed satellite assembly in under three months, highlights India’s growing space ecosystem.
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