Breaking News: Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX)
On December 30, 2024, ISRO successfully launched its first space docking mission, SpaDeX, deploying two 220-kilogram spacecraft into a 470-km circular orbit. This mission aims to demonstrate critical space docking and power transfer technology, marking a pivotal step for future endeavors such as satellite servicing and operating a planned space station.
Breaking News: Private Sector Engagement
Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T), India's leading private-sector defense manufacturer, is expanding its aerospace division to capitalize on India's burgeoning $44 billion private space market. The company plans to manufacture launch vehicles, including the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), with the first privately built PSLV flight projected for early 2025.
Breaking News: Proba-3 Mission
The European Space Agency (ESA) launched the Proba-3 mission on December 5, 2024, aboard ISRO's PSLV-XL rocket. This mission aims to enhance understanding of space weather by studying the sun’s inner corona, particularly coronal mass ejections and solar wind origins.
Chandrayaan-4 Mission
ISRO is planning a lunar sample return mission, Chandrayaan-4, which involves multiple launches, docking capabilities, and robotic operations. The mission aims to collect samples from the lunar surface and bring them back to Earth by 2027.
Aditya-L1 Mission
Following the success of the Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing, ISRO launched its first solar observatory mission, Aditya-L1, on September 2, 2023. This mission aims to study the Sun's outermost layers and understand space weather phenomena..
Gaganyaan Mission
ISRO is progressing with its human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, aiming to send Indian astronauts to space. The mission is planned for mid-2025, marking India's entry into human space exploration.