India successfully launches its first space docking mission

India launched its first space docking mission on Monday on an Indian-made rocket, successfully testing the advanced capability. 

The Indian Space Research Organization launched the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDex) mission atop a Polar Satellite Launch Vehiclerocket.SpaDex involves deploying two small spacecraft, each weighing about 220 kilograms, into a low-Earth circular orbit.

SpaDex lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh state. "In-space docking technology is essential when multiple rocket launches are required to achieve common mission objectives," officials said.