ISRO Releases Stunning Footage of Chaser Satellite Capturing 'Space Selfie' with Earth from 400km Altitude

Bengaluru, January 4, 2025: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released captivating footage from its SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) mission, showcasing the Chaser satellite capturing a breathtaking "space selfie" with Earth from an altitude of 400 km. The stunning visuals highlight the satellite's advanced imaging capabilities and readiness for its next critical milestone.

The Chaser satellite is slated to dock with its counterpart, the Target satellite, on January 7, 2025, marking India's maiden collaborative space docking exercise. If successful, this achievement will position India alongside Russia, the United States, and China as the only countries to master in-space docking technology.

The SpaDeX mission, launched on December 30, 2024, aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C60), features two satellites – SDX01 (the Chaser) and SDX02 (the Target). The mission aims to demonstrate precise navigation and secure docking in orbit, key technologies for future space station construction and deep-space exploration.

ISRO hailed the mission's significance, stating that SpaDeX will serve as a critical step in advancing India's space docking capabilities, paving the way for future missions involving astronauts, sample returns, and advanced space infrastructure.

In another groundbreaking achievement, the ISRO has announced that cowpea seeds sent aboard the PS4-Orbital Experiment Module (POEM) have germinated in near zero-gravity. This milestone marks India's first instance of life sprouting in space, a critical step towards long-term space missions.

These historic successes demonstrate ISRO's commitment to advancing space technology and pushing the boundaries of scientific inquiry.