Space Brief 30 Nov 2025
Today's highlights include Europe's record space budget for independence, Transporter-15's successful launch of 140 payloads, and the damage to the Baikonur pad affecting upcoming ISS missions.
SDX01 (62459)
COSPAR: 2024-253A | Alt Name: SPADEX-A
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 30, 2024
Launch Site
Satish Dhawan Space Centre
Launch Pad
First Launch Pad
Launch Vehicle
PSLV-CA C60
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
62459
International Designator
2024-253A
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 20:24:22 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
54.99°
Right Ascension
193.10°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
28.79°
Period
91.42 min
Mean Motion
15.75 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
SDX01
Alternative Name
SPADEX-A
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
ISRO
Country
India
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
Successful docking with SDX02 on January 16, 2025, making India the fourth country to achieve in-space docking
Latest TLEs
1 62459U 24253A 26200.85026250 .00047125 00000+0 31193-3 0 9998
2 62459 54.9923 193.1002 0006066 28.7923 331.3454 15.75107662 87676
Source: Celestrak
Summary
SDX01, also known as SPADEX-A, is an Indian microsatellite based on the Modified IMS-1 platform and configured as a Microsatellite-SSB (SSB-2). Launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre's First Launch Pad by PSLV-CA C60 on December 30, 2024, SDX01 is part of ISRO's mission to demonstrate autonomous rendezvous and docking capabilities. The spacecraft has dimensions of 1 meter in length, a diameter of 0.5 meters, and a span of 2.5 meters when its solar arrays are deployed. It weighs 220 kg at launch and 180 kg dry mass. Equipped with various sensors including a laser rangefinder, rendezvous sensor, proximity and docking sensor, image sensor, accelerometers, star tracker, and high-resolution camera for imaging and video capture, SDX01 operates on VHF/UHF bands for inter-satellite communication. The satellite is designed to operate for two years with the capability of independent payload operation post-undocking. It achieved a significant milestone by successfully docking with SDX02 on January 16, 2025, making India the fourth country globally to accomplish in-space docking. The satellite's design includes aluminum and composite materials, and it is powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1
Diameter
0.5
Span
2.5
Dry Mass
180
Launch Mass
220
Shape
Box with 2 panels
Radar Cross Section
0.15
Visual Magnitude
5.5
Color
Silver
Material Composition
Aluminum and composite materials
Technical Details
Payload
High-resolution camera for imaging and video capture
Purpose
Technology, docking
Mission
Demonstrate autonomous rendezvous and docking capabilities, verify electrical power transfer between docked spacecraft, and execute composite spacecraft control using the Attitude Control System in a docked configuration
Manufacturer
U R Rao Satellite Centre (ISRO) and Ananth Technologies
Life Expectancy
Designed for a mission duration of two years, with plans to operate payloads independently after undocking
Bus
Modified IMS-1
Configuration
Microsatellite-SSB (SSB-2)
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Laser rangefinder, rendezvous sensor, proximity and docking sensor, image sensor, accelerometers, star tracker
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Autonomous rendezvous and docking system
Transmitter Frequency
VHF/UHF bands for inter-satellite communication
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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