SpaDex Project - A unique achievement of ISRO

Among the milestones achieved by the ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization), since its inception in 1969, the SpaDex mission successfully completed last January is a unique and an interesting one. The mission SpaDex (Space Docking Experiment) was basically to dock and undock i.e. join and detach two small satellites in the space so as to accomplish the ability for such maneuvers for other spacecrafts in the future. In space missions, it is necessary to dock or undock spaceships, satellites so that astronauts and equipment can be carried from one vehicle to the other. This becomes necessary to carry out experiments, in repair and maintenance activities, exchange from one vehicle to another. Like in the International Space Station (ISS), astronauts move in and out of space shuttles while entering ISS or returning back to the earth.

While becoming only the fourth nation after USA, Russia and China, India has now the indigenous capacity to move people and equipment between satellites or spaceships required for its future space expeditions. Launched on December 30th, 2024, and successfully executed on January 16th, 2025, and fully autonomous docking on April 20th, 2025, ISRO had successfully docked and undocked two small satellites namely SDX01 and SDX02 launched by the PSLV 60 rocket from Sriharikota station in Hasan, Karnataka. Controlled from the ground station at Sriharikota, the docking and undocking process worked out perfectly thereby establishing our capabilities for similar maneuvers in the near future. 

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The Chandrayaan-4 mission, the Gaganyaan mission as well as the Bharat Antariksh Station (BAS), a permanent space station of India like the ISS are the prominent future space expeditions of the ISRO. Given the need for the convenient and easy passage of equipment and astronauts between spacecrafts and satellites, the SpaDex mission was needed to be accurate as well as successful for us. The Bharat Antariksh Station (BAS) will be a permanent station for experiments in space, the stay of the astronauts as well as serve as a platform for carrying people and equipment to and from it and the earth. Similarly, the Gaganyaan  mission that aims to put Indian astronauts to space through an indigenous mission first time ever, will also require such capabilities. Thus, the SpaDex mission will be a milestone in that regard. The docking and undocking of satellites in space is a very complex one. It involves a rendezvous i.e., staying aloft at a position so as to align accurately to the other craft and the docking maneuver i.e., perfect and precise movements to lock to the target spacecraft (since inaccurate docking can be expensive as well as dangerous), and commence the movement of goods and people from one craft to another. This was followed reversely by the undocking process soon. A large number of indigenous technologies were incorporated in the mission. That included the docking mechanism i.e., the whole process of identifying, communicating, connecting and ultimately docking, a suite for four rendezvous and docking sensors, power transfer technology, Indigenous novel autonomous rendezvous and docking strategy, Inter-satellite Communication Link (ISL) for 

autonomous communication between spacecrafts, incorporated with inbuilt intelligence to know the state of the other spacecraft. GNSS-based Novel Relative Orbit Determination and Propagation (RODP) processor to determine the relative position and velocity of the other spacecraft. Simulation test beds for both hardware and software design validation and testing. ISRO built the two satellites and the associated equipment at a cost of ₹125 crore while the launch vehicle cost ₹250 crore. The main goals of the SpaDex mission were - develop and demonstrate technology for rendezvous and docking using two small spacecrafts, showcase controllability in the docked condition, demonstrate the potential for extending the life of the target spacecraft, test power transfer between the docked spacecraft. The ISRO chief S Somnath said at a press conference that additional SpaDex missions with greater size and complexity would be launched in the near future for larger docking systems for the space missions. Thus, India has the self-reliance in cutting-edge technology and the capability of the ISRO for such critical operations. Along with it, the SpaDex was a cost- effective technology demonstrating mission costing about ₹375 crore to show in-space docking using two small spacecrafts lifted by the 62nd PSLV flight.

GST 2.0, Tax Reforms

The GST (Goods and Service Tax) was introduced on midnight 17th July, 2017. It was a revolutionary step towards tax rationalization, a scientific and a modern tax structure as well as aimed to reduce the prices of items, increase tax compliance and enhance tax collections. Since then, a vast change has occurred from the erstwhile VAT (Value Added Tax) structure. The VAT tax was imposed upon the value added to the items and was the same for almost all types of items. GST came up with a more accurate tax system based upon tax slabs on the usage of various types of items. GST combined a large number of taxes like State Tax, Octroi, Levies, Sales Tax etc. into one tax. Service Tax i.e., tax levied on the services provided was also included to it, thus giving it a new name - Goods and Service Tax. Tax slabs were - 0% on items of essential need viz. loosely sold Rice, Atta, Salt, Milk, Eggs, Baby Food etc., 5% tax slab on items of ordinary use like Mustard Oil, Clothes below Rs. 1000/-, Domestic LPG, Coal, Cashew Nuts, Packed Paneer, Agarbatti, Footwear below Rs.500/-, Floor

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Coverings etc., 12% GST rates was for items less used like Butter, Ghee, Almonds, Keypad Mobiles, Umbrellas, Chutney, Jam, Jelly etc., 18% GST was on luxury items viz Hair Oil, Toothpaste, Laptops, Pasta, Ice-Cream, Smartphones, Computer Monitors (less than 17"), Apparel Accessories etc., 28% GST slab was on imported items like Jewellery, imported Cars, Perfumes, Fashion Accessories, iPhones etc. A large number of items were also exempt from the GST like donations made for charitable purposes, schools, religious places etc. Similarly, services were also taxed at 3%, 5%, 12%, 18% etc. The GST tax collected is shared between the Centre and the State in a 50-50 ratio. Through the passage of time, flaws appeared in the process like dependency on online computerized filing of tax returns resulting in the failure of small businesses to setup such facilities at their workplaces, objection also arose on the levy of higher tax rates like 12%, 18% on oft and daily use items like tractors, toothpaste and others, complex and costly implementation created problems for tax refunds, confusion as well as difficulties in tax filing for small, medium or common businesses. Thus, reform in GST was the cry of the day.

Donald Trump, who took over as the US President, February last imposed huge tariffs i.e., 50% of exports of Indian goods to them. Some items attracted even more tariffs. He did this globally with a view to enhancing US trade and economic interests. Since, our exports would fall, the government introduced a slew of measures to protect our businesses. Among them were the introduction of PLI (Production Linked Incentive) scheme to the effected industries, finding alternative export destinations and reforms in the GST. In his Independence Day speech on the 15th of August, this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared reforms in GST before Diwali. Thus, the GST Council meet on the 3rd of

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September last, decided to do away with the 12% and 28% tax slabs. Accordingly, a large number of items earlier in the 12% or 18% slab were moved to the 5% tax slab which included items like Hair Oil, Shampoo, Toothpaste, Toilet Soap, Toothbrush, Shaving Cream,  Butter, Ghee, Cheese and Diary spreads, Pre-Packed, Namkeens, Bhujias & 

Mixtures, Utensils, Feeding Bottles, Sewing Machines and Parts etc. Similarly, various consumer electronic items like Smart TVs, Refrigerators, Air Conditioners, Washing Machines etc. will be taxed at 18% instead of 28%. More importantly, Individual and Life Insurance products were changed from the 18% to the Nil slab. Also, medical equipment like All Diagnostic Kits & Reagents, Glucometer & Test Strips, Corrective Spectacles, Thermometer etc. were brought to the 5% slab. Similarly, taxes on educational items like Maps, Charts, Globes, Pencils, Sharpeners, Crayons, Pastels, Exercise Book & Notebooks were reduced to Nil. Petrol & Petrol Hybrid, LPG, CNG Cars (not exceeding 1200 cc & 4000 mm), Motorcycles (below 350cc) etc. have been brought in the 18% tax slab from the 28% earlier.

Focusing on Atmanirbhar and Ease of Living, the GST 2.0 reforms were made applicable from September 22nd last, just a few days before the festive season setting in. Coined as GST Bachat Utsav, the reform is aimed at reducing inflation in necessary and largely used items so that they can be within the reach of the ordinary citizenry, the farmers and small businesses. Given India's high unemployment rates, low per capita income, these reforms will boost sales in the items with reduced prices and propel the economy towards greater consumption and higher GDP growth. The reforms in GST must surely be made to suit the interests of all the people in the economic chain to make taxation simpler, easily implementable and provide impetus to higher GDP growth rates. 

Spirituality and Spiritualism

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Spirituality represents a way of life where moral and spiritual values of compassion, kindness, charity, universal welfare and spiritual bliss is given prominence. In philosophy, life is said to be both material and spiritual. Material is the physical, bodily existence while spiritual refers to the soul, immaterial, value based and inward character, The practice of spirituality involves meditation, yoga exercises, studying of spiritual books, charitable services like donations for orphanages, shelter homes for the sick and the needy, animal shelters and inspiring others too. A person with a spiritual pursuit does not care about a material and luxurious life or belongings, he/she cares about the welfare and happiness of all the people coming to them thereby attaining spiritual satisfaction, bliss or happiness. Spiritual life is considered higher, more valuable and the real or ultimate destination of all beings. Some philosophies and cultures consider the spiritual character as the real character of living beings, the physical and material being outwardly or temporary. The spiritual growth and development are considered very necessary for each individual, society or a nation. A nation or society and even an individual build up on a firm spiritual footing will face and solve the problems coming ahead in a stronger, resolute and comprehensive manner.  

The soul is considered to be a part of the universal spirit or Brahman, in Indian spirituality. Meaning, the Universal Spirit, the Brahman controls, owns and conducts all the actions of the atman or soul, which is present in everything in this creation. We consider the consciousness as the manifestation of that universal creator, Brahman. Although, each being has a right to do his/her Karma but still it ultimately enjoins and submerges with the Universal Spirit. Depending upon the good or bad deeds the duration, effort of the Moksha will differ. Good deeds lead to easier and quicker, Salvation i.e. uniting with the Lord Supreme Soul or God. Bad deeds always toughen the path or delay it. The lesson of spirituality hence puts stress on the good and bad deeds that we do, i.e. Karma. A spiritual person endures a great deal of toil and hardships in pursuing his duties. He/she has not only to shun away from the temptations and attractions of worldly life but at the same time persevere, meditate and strive hard towards the spiritual development and bliss of all and every. From collecting funds and donations to giving them to the homeless, sick and destitute to the rigorous and strict regimen of meditations, prayers and rituals. Each and every spiritual person has to be more kind, compassionate, selfless and fully devoted to the happiness of the person he/she attends to.

Spirituality is often mixed with religion. In fact, both of them have many things in common but still are not the same. In most cases, these two aspects are often mixed up or fused to one. While the spiritual involves performing and practicing a moral, aesthetic and ethical means of life, religion is much more institution-like and controlled by hard and fast rules of decorum, hierarchy and rituals. Religion too preaches universal welfare and well-being but a more coordinated one. Spirituality is often more individualized, charitable and personalized. Strict dogmas and norms do not define it, rather the inspiration comes from the higher or greater purpose of happiness, wellbeing of all. No such bondages strictly exist.

Contrasted with spiritualism, spirituality involves a service and a charitable nature. Spiritualism on the other hand, means the strength of occult spells and magical practice and probably cures people of any disease or moves people towards something social, political or purpose oriented. Spiritualism is the essential character of magic-practicing and spell-casting people seen almost everywhere. Whatever might be the nature, spirituality has gained prominence in the modern society globally now, across all strata of economic, educational, cultural identities. Organizations like ISKON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), The Chinmaya Mission, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Sri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, The Art of Living Foundation, The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, The Divine Life Society, The Ramakrishna Mission etc. being prominent. Spiritual values and virtues are very important in a materialistic world. Spirituality tells people to seek inner moral, social or universal happiness instead of being concentrated in the welfare of a few. Spirituality enables us to consider the entire world as a whole whose welfare lay in the collective progress and wellbeing. Spirituality imbibes some higher virtues that uplifts people for the service, welfare and progress of everyone.