Context:
2025 is going to be a year of transition for the India space program shifting from planning to mission mode with many strides towards future missions such as Chandrayaan4 and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
- PSLV-C60 Mission
- Launch Timing: On Dec 30, 2024 the PSLV-C60 mission was undertaken and thus a proud moment for space history with two satellites being deployed together in space for the first ever docking experiment.
- Satellite Docking Experiment
- Mission accomplished an on orbit rendezvous and docked ISRO celebrated its first encounter of two spacecraft docking on 16 Jan 2025.
- SpaDeX and POEM-4 Joint Successful Endeavors
- SpaDeX Satellites
- The two satellites launched in orbit and made several rendezvous maneuvers with the final docking occurring on January 16.
- The two satellites were operated together demonstrating the conditions that would be required for lunar and space station missions.
- Kepler Aerospace supported the mission from the ground.
- POEM-4 Mission
- After the PSLVC-60 launch ISRO’s fourth stage module was utilized as an experimental satellite carrying 24 payloads.
- SpaDeX Satellites
- Key achievements include
- Testing of Relocatable Robotic Manipulator and the Debris Capture Robotic Arm.
- Launch of Vyom 2U with green propulsion system tested by Manastu Space.
- Communication tests and payload demonstrations by private companies like Bellatrix Aerospace and N Space Tech.
International Cooperation and Space Missions
- Transporter 12 Mission
- Three payloads from Indian private companies flew on board SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket on 15 January, 2025.
- Firefly hyperspectral satellites by Pixxel Space
- The first private satellite constellation for India: A space situational awareness camera to track low Earth orbit objects by Digantara Elevation 1 miniaturised communications satellite by XDLINX Labs.
Infrastructure and Testing for Future Missions
- New Launch Pad
- Union Cabinet cleared the construction of the third launch pad at Sriharikota to accommodate the human spaceflight and the Next Generation Launch Vehicle NGLV in 2029.
- Vikas Engine Test
- The ISRO tested its Vikas engine capability by restarting it in atmospheric conditions which is a crucial milestone for future missions.
- AdityaL1
- On January 6 2025, ISRO released the first data set into the public arena regarding its Aditya L1 mission focused on the sun for a whole year illuminating the path to understanding solar activity and its potential impact on other planets in space.
