/ground-report/media/post_banners/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Source-Canva-4-6.webp)
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone with the successful landing of its Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV), named “Pushpak,” at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) on Friday. The operation commenced at 7 a.m. from the Chalakere Runway, marking the third successful landing trial for the RLV, following its predecessors in 2016 and last April.
In an innovative approach, “Pushpak” was hoisted to an altitude of 4.5 km by an Indian Air Force helicopter before its release, which was contingent upon meeting specific flight parameters. This mission is pivotal in ISRO’s pursuit of developing key technologies for a fully reusable launch vehicle, which promises to revolutionize cost-effective space exploration.
The “Pushpak” RLV-TD demonstrated a high-precision autonomous landing on the runway, despite being released from a challenging position. ISRO Chairperson S Somanath emphasized the vehicle’s role in India’s ambitious plan to make space travel more affordable.
Somanath also highlighted the potential for reusing the vehicle’s upper stage, which contains valuable electronics, for tasks such as refueling satellites in orbit or refurbishing them, contributing to the reduction of space debris.
The RLV-TD project is among ISRO’s most technologically demanding projects, with the goal of mastering technologies for a fully reusable launch vehicle to cut down the costs of space missions significantly.
Designed to resemble an aircraft while integrating the complexities of both a launch vehicle and an airplane, the RLV-TD acts as a flying testbed to evaluate technologies like hypersonic flight, autonomous landing, and powered cruise flight.
ISRO envisions the RLV-TD eventually becoming the first stage of India’s reusable two-stage orbital launch vehicle. Earlier in February, Somanath briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the RLV mission during his visit to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Trivandrum. Named after the mythical spacecraft in the epic Ramayana, the project has an estimated cost exceeding Rs 100 crore, marking a significant investment in India’s space future.
Keep Reading
What is Environmental Impact assessment in terms of Indian rules?
Goa’s new airport in Mopa endangers livelihood of hundreds of farmers
EIA Notification Revised 100+ Times in 5 Years: Environment at Risk?
Follow Ground Report for Environmental News From India. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Koo App, Instagram, Whatsapp and YouTube. Write us on [email protected] and subscribe our free newsletter.
Don’t forget to check out our climate glossary, it helps in learning difficult environmental terms in simple language.
