ISRO advances space exploration with SPADEX

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is making significant strides in space exploration with its Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX).

Mission Overview: SPADEX involves launching two 400 kg satellites into slightly different orbits using a single rocket.

These satellites will then perform a "space handshake" by mechanically docking to form a single orbiting entity.

Technological Significance: The ability to dock spacecraft is critical for future missions, including the proposed Chandrayaan-4 lunar mission and the Bharatiya Antariksha Space Station (India's own space station).

Private Sector Collaboration: The satellites were assembled, integrated, and tested by Ananth Technologies Private Limited (ATL), marking the first instance where ISRO has received fully assembled satellites from a private Indian company.

The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) will be held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from January 8 to 10, 2025. This event is organized to honor the contributions of the overseas Indian community to the development of India.

Event Venue: The event will take place at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar.

About Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is a significant event celebrated annually on January 9 to recognize the contributions of the Indian diaspora towards the development of India.

Origins: The day was first celebrated in 2003 to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India on January 9, 1915.