ISRO's swadeshi space shuttle Pushpak gracefully survives 15,000 feet drop | Watch
'Pushpak' - India's first Reusable Launch Vehicle - completes its landing test.
On March 22, the Indian Air Force and ISRO tested "Pushpak," an SUV-sized winged rocket aimed to make space travel more affordable. The test involved dropping the rocket from a helicopter onto the Aeronautical Test Range inChitradurga, Karnataka from 15,000 feet of altitude.
The Indian Air Force released an incredible video showing the rocket called "Swadeshi Space Shuttle" descent from inside the helicopter. Sharing the video on social media platform X, the Indian Air Force wrote, "Airlifted to an altitude of 4.5 kms, IAF Air Warriors were part of the successful mission. IAF heartily congratulates ISRO on achieving this milestone. IAF will contribute and collaborate in future as well, for many such undertakings."
Puspak's advanced capabilities
The rocket was airlifted to an altitude of 4.5 kilometers before being released. It autonomously approached the runway and landed precisely, showcasing its advanced landing capabilities. The Indian Air Force congratulated ISRO on this milestone and pledged future collaboration for similar missions. The test aimed to demonstrate the rocket's ability to autonomously land, which was deemed "excellent and precise."
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"This mission successfully simulated the approach and high-speed landing conditions of an RLV returning from space. With the RLV-LEX-02, Isro has re-validated its indigenously developed technologies in areas such as navigation, control systems, landing gear, and deceleration systems, which are essential for performing a high-speed autonomous landing of a space-returning vehicle," a press release by ISRO read.
While this was the third test flight, operational deployment of Pushpak is expected to take several more years. ISRO chief S Somanath had previously said.
What's the history behind Pushpak's name?
The rocket's name, "Pushpak," is inspired by the mythical "Pushpak Viman" from the Ramayana, associated with the Lord of Wealth, Kubera. According to Ramayana, after defeating Ravana, lord Ram returned to Ayodhya on "Pushpak Viman."
Pushpak's development timeline
The making of Pushpak began a decade ago with a dedicated team of engineers and scientists. The 6.5-meter craft weighs 1.75 tons and utilises small thrusters for precise landing. The government has invested over ₹100 crore in this project, reflecting its commitment to advancing space technology.
