[Geo4All] India successfully conducts historic space-docking test

[Suchith Anand]

Dear colleagues,

Today morning (16 January 2025), India achieves first space docking, becoming fourth country to achieve major milestone after United States, Russia and China. Like India’s previous space ventures – from being the first to land on the South Pole of the Moon to launching a Mars mission – SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) was built and catapulted into space on a shoestring budget. Big congratulations to all scientists in ISRO for this remarkable achievement.

The indigenous technology, crucial for satellite servicing, space station operations, and interplanetary missions, positions India to play a significant role in the commercial and exploratory frontiers of space.

More details at 

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/15/india/india-space-docking-attempt-intl-hnk/index.html

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8j89k02py0o

https://www.independent.co.uk/space/isro-india-space-docking-spadex-mission-b2680581.html

https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indias-isro-successfully-carries-out-space-docking-mission-2025-01-16/

CROPS: A Leap in Space Biological Experiments

The mission also carried Cowpea seeds (Scientific name: Vigna Unguiculata) to study their growth in microgravity. Growing plants from seed in space under micro gravity is an important milestone for space biological research, to produce food in space and as an engaging activity for the astronauts in space during long duration manned missions. More details at https://www.isro.gov.in/CROPS.html

SpaDeX is more than a technological achievement—it’s a testament to India’s capability to push the boundaries of exploration and innovation. This mission has redefined our vision for space, paving the way for groundbreaking advancements in the decades to come.

By enabling cost-effective and flexible launches from India , ISRO is laying the foundation for a new era of space exploration and commercialisation, ensuring India remains at the forefront of the global space developments.

In the last few years has seen a huge rise in number of private companies and startups in India in the space sector who are creating thousands of highly skilled job opportunities.

The Rise of India's Private Space Firms | Momentum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9KAIm6zUQk


From humble beginnings in sheds (the equipments were carried in a bicycle and a bullock cart!) to becoming the first country to land near the South Pole on the Moon, to missions to Mars , India's space journey is an epic tale of ingenuity and resourcefulness.  Story of India’s amazing space journey at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL94XhNbwQ4

It is important to thank the women scientists who took India into space (from India’s Mars mission to Moon mission to Sun mission https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-38253471.amp

India’s space mission will inspire millions of students from all over the world (including students from economically poor families in the Global South) to STEM education and space science education. 

AzaadiSAT was created to mark India’s 75th year of independence. This anniversary was being marked by the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations throughout the country, and the CubeSat was part of this campaign. AzaadiSAT was built by girl students from 75 schools across India. 10 girl students from each school were involved, for a total of 750 students involved. The mission was created to give girl students from lower-income backgrounds the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of spaceflight.

More details at https://spacekidzindia.in/azaadisat-1/
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh1YCJ4m7aE

India’s idea of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ is resonating across the world. This human-centric approach has been welcomed by all. India’s space mission is also based on this principle. India’s success belongs to all of humanity.

Best wishes

Suchith

Professor Suchith Anand
Professor of Practice in Science Policy | Senior Adviser to Governments and International Organisations | Scientist | Global Citizen | Science Diplomacy |  SDG Volunteer and Advocate
https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/43268-suchith-anand
https://ethicaldatainitiative.org <https://ethicaldatainitiative.org/>

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/geoforall/attachments/20250116/098f8961/attachment-0001.htm>