The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and its partners have recently hit a significant milestone by successfully demonstrating a precise landing experiment for a Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga, Karnataka. An Indian Air Force (IAF) Chinook helicopter was instrumental in carrying out this operation as it dropped the RLV-Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) from a 4.5 km altitude, after which ISRO executed the planned landing experiment of the RLV-TD.
ISRO’s RLV Project: An Overview
The series of experiments carried out with the winged RLV-TD are part of ISRO’s larger efforts to develop essential technologies required for a fully reusable launch vehicle. Such a vehicle can significantly lower the cost of accessing space. The present RLV-TD is envisioned to be scaled up in the future to form the first stage of India’s reusable two-stage orbital (TSTO) launch vehicle.
Features and Applications of ISRO’s RLV-TD
ISRO’s RLV-TD sports a design similar to an aircraft, complete with a fuselage, a nose cap, double delta wings, and twin vertical tails. Multiple advanced technologies like hypersonic flight (HEX), autonomous landing (LEX), return flight experiment (REX), powered cruise flight, and Scramjet Propulsion Experiment (SPEX) are estimated to be developed using the RLV-TD.
The Significance of Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLVs)
Considering the high costs that typically act as a deterrent to space exploration, a reusable launch vehicle stands to be a low-cost, reliable, and readily available means of reaching space. The costs associated with a single launch can be brought down by nearly 80% of the current cost through the use of RLVs.
Past Experiments with RLVs
In May 2016, ISRO managed to demonstrate the re-entry of its winged vehicle RLV-TD during the HEX mission. This involved the vehicle landing on a hypothetical runway over the Bay of Bengal, showcasing autonomous and high-speed landing abilities of up to 350 kmph. Precise landing on a runway was, however, not included in the HEX mission.
RLVs: The Way Forward for Space Agencies
Reusable space vehicles are not new and have been used by international space agencies like NASA which has deployed space shuttles for multiple human space flight missions. SpaceX has also been utilizing partially reusable launch systems with its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets since 2017, and is now developing a fully reusable launch vehicle system named Starship.
This successful landing experiment of the RLV-TD programme by ISRO marks a pivotal point in India’s ongoing development of space technology. Achieving successful implementation of the RLV-TD as an affordable means of accessing space will yield significant benefits for India’s future space programs.
