India aims to join an elite space club tonight as ISRO launches its first autonomous docking mission, a vital step toward building its own space station. Only the US, Russia, China and the EU have independently mastered this technology.

In a significant leap forward for India's space ambitions, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch its groundbreaking Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission today.

India is set to become the fourth nation to independently demonstrate autonomous docking capabilities, following the United States, Russia, and China. While the European Space Agency has successfully conducted automated docking operations with the International Space Station through its ATV program, India's achievement would mark it as the fourth individual country and fifth political entity to master this technology independently, with the first successful space docking achieved by the United States in 1966. 

The mission, launching at 22:00:15 (Indian Standard Time) from the Sriharikota spaceport, will involve two small satellites, SDX01 and SDX02, each weighing 220 kg, performing an intricate orbital ballet at speeds of approximately 7.5 kilometres per second. Audiences will be able to watch via a YouTube livestream from 21:30 IST. 

The event will also commemorate the 53rd anniversary of the death of Vikram Sarabhai, known at the "the pioneer" of the Indian Space Programme.

This technological feat is particularly challenging given the small size of the spacecraft. The “chaser" satellite (SDX01) will gradually approach its target through a series of precise manoeuvres, reducing the distance from 20 kilometres to just three metres before attempting the final docking procedure. The mission employs cutting-edge technology, including laser range finders, rendezvous sensors and proximity sensors, to ensure precise measurements during this delicate operation.

The success of SpaDeX is crucial for India's ambitious space goals, including the establishment of the Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035 and future lunar sample return missions. The planned space station will require multiple modules to be launched separately and assembled in orbit, making docking capability essential for its construction.

Beyond the primary docking experiment, the mission introduces several innovative elements. For the first time, ISRO will conduct a biological experiment in space through the CROPS (Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies) module, which will attempt to germinate seeds in microgravity. The mission will also feature 24 different experiments, including 10 from startups and educational institutions.

The mission represents a significant departure from previous launches, as it's the first to utilise ISRO's new PSLV integration facility, where the rocket was assembled and transported to the launch pad on a moving platform – a change that promises to reduce the time between launches.

The successful completion of this mission will pave the way for more ambitious projects, including lunar sample return missions and the establishment of India's first space station, signaling a new chapter in the country's space exploration journey.

The docking is expected to take place in the first week of January 2025.

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