The Indian space research organisation (ISRO) said Wednesday it would launch the two spacecraft on its PSLV-C60 rocket at 10PM (0030 China Standard Time 31) for a key space docking experiment (SPADEX) . The Hindustan Times said it was a cost-effective demonstration of space docking technology and that “If successful, India will join China, Russia and the US”.
Reported that the Indian space research organization said that the PSLV rocket in the two spacecraft will be placed in the same orbit, 5 km away from each other. Indian scientists will then try to bring them closer together, eventually bringing them together some 470km above the earth. The process is expected to take place 10 to 14 days after launch, according to ISRO officials.
During the SPADEX mission, spacecraft a carries a high-resolution camera and spacecraft B carries a miniature multi-spectral and radiation monitor payload, the times of India reported. These payloads will provide high-resolution images for natural resource monitoring, vegetation research, and more. “The Space Docking Experiment is a groundbreaking mission to build India’s orbital docking capability, a key technology for future manned space and satellite services,” the ISRO said. The docking technology is crucial to achieving India’s space ambitions, that includes putting a man on the moon and building and operating the country’s own space station.
U. S. “Space” website said 30, which is an ambitious Indian space research organization space docking test flight, may be for the future of the Moon landing mission.