Both SPADEX satellites re-enter the Earth's atmosphere after completing their docking mission

National Space Science & Technology

Both SPADEX satellites re-enter the Earth's atmosphere after completing their docking mission

25 October 2026

ISRO has reported that both satellites of the Space Docking Experiment re-entered the Earth's atmosphere on 12 October 2026.
SPADEX-A came down over the South Pacific Ocean at about 16:48 UTC and SPADEX-B over the North Atlantic Ocean at about 23:36 UTC.
The two satellites were launched on 30 December 2024 by PSLV-C60 into a 470 km circular orbit.
They completed vertical and radial docking, composite control, power transfer, undocking and payload operations, and also demonstrated circumnavigation.
After the fuel in both satellites ran out their orbits decayed, and two moderate geomagnetic storms on 4 and 11 October 2026 hastened the decay.

Re-entry date: 12 October 2026 Launch vehicle: PSLV-C60 Orbit: 470 km circular

Why it matters for exams: SPADEX made India one of the few countries to dock satellites in orbit, so its launch vehicle and objectives are examined.

Kerala PSCUPSCSSC

25 October 2026 Source: Indian Space Research Organisation

In plain words

Docking Docking — Joining two spacecraft together while they are in orbit.

Geomagnetic storm Geomagnetic storm — A disturbance of the Earth's magnetic field caused by solar activity, which can drag down low satellites.