Watch: ISRO successfully completes landing of 'Pushpak', country's first Reusable Launch Vehicle
'Pushpak' - India's first Reusable Launch Vehicle - completes its landing test.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday (Mar 22) successfully completed the landing test of 'Pushpak', its Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) from the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Challakere in Karnataka's Chitradurga.
During the testing, ISRO chairman S Somanath as well as other senior officials were present at the site.
Taking to X, the space organisation wrote, "Isro nails it again! Pushpak (RLV-TD), the winged vehicle, landed autonomously with precision on the runway after being released from an off-nominal position."
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"Pushpak was lifted by an Indian Airforce Chinook helicopter and was released from 4.5 km altitude. After release at a distance of 4 km from the runway, Pushpak autonomously approached the runway along with cross-range corrections. It landed precisely on the runway and came to a halt using its brake parachute, landing gear brakes and nose wheel steering system," it added.
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All about Pushpak RLV - a milestone in reusable launch vehicle
The scientists have designed the Pushpak RLV as an all-rocket and fully reusable single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) vehicle. It includes several important elements like the X-34 testbed technology demonstrator, the X-33 advanced technology demonstrator, as well as the upgraded DC-XA flight demonstrator.
This is Pushpak's third flight after a series of tests were carried out by the scientists with the aim of perfecting the vehicle's robotic landing capabilities amid complex conditions.
The project, which took a decade to develop, was first successfully tested in April last year when it was able to demonstrate an autonomous landing after getting released from the Chinook helicopter of the Indian Air Force.
The test was a major milestone in the development of the Pushpak RLV as it demonstrated that the vehicle is near to achieving orbital re-entry capabilities.
The vehicle's name has been inspired by the Ramayana's mythical 'Pushpak Viman' since this modern-day aircraft stands as a symbol of innovation and prosperity.
Watch:ISRO's LVM3 rocket engines tested and ready to ferry Gaganyaan astronauts
The winged technology shows that the scientists have configured the RLV as a flying test bed for evaluating different technologies, like powered cruise flight, autonomous landing and hypersonic flight.
The project, which has aninvestment of Rs 1 billion or $11.99 million, not only displays the country's technological prowess but also sets the stage for future endeavours, which includes the ambitious goal of setting up the Bhartiya Antariksha Station by 2035.
(With inputs from agencies)