New Delhi:

In a rare distinction for any space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) today achieved a rare hat-trick of the safe landing of an uncrewed, autonomous winged reusable launch vehicle during an experiment in this century.

ISRO said in a statement that it has proudly achieved a third consecutive success in the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Landing Experiment (LEX) today. “The third and final test in the series of LEX (03) was conducted at 07:10 IST at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga, Karnataka,” it said.

Hat-trick for ISRO in RLV LEX!

ISRO achieved its third and final consecutive success in the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Landing EXperiment (LEX) on June 23, 2024.

“Pushpak” executed a precise horizontal landing, showcasing advanced autonomous capabilities under… pic.twitter.com/cGMrw6mmyH

— ISRO (@isro) June 23, 2024

ISRO chairman S Somanath told NDTV, “ISRO achieved a hat-trick of safe landings by the Pushpak or Reusable Launch Vehicle, now this sets the stage for the orbital test of Pushpak. It will be launched on a rocket into space, and then it can safely land on Earth. Truly a game-changer technology to reduce cost of access to space. A uniquely atmanirbhar effort by ISRO to harness reusable rockets in a swadeshi way in the 21st century.”

“Bringing the most expensive part of the rocket that houses the electronics is what makes Pushpak the futuristic rocket tech for India. ISRO continues to work hard to master technology,” he said.

The real big test will come when India goes in for the orbital test. Mr Somanath says, “The Orbital Re-entry Vehicle (ORV) will have high temperature protection tiles on its outer surface. Liquid rocket engines and a retractable landing gear. It will also have space for a payload that can be deployed through a door that will open.”

The making of India’s own delta winged ‘space shuttle’ of sorts, though uncrewed, it is indeed a big leap of faith at a point where other agencies are only attempting to bring back spent hollow rocket stages.

A whole new vehicle much larger in size will be made for the orbital test based on the success of today’s test and it will first be tested in a landing experiment before it is flown into space and brought back to Earth like a space plane.

ISRO says following the success of the RLV (Reusable Landing Vehicle) LEX-01 and LEX-02 missions, RLV LEX-03 re-demonstrated the autonomous landing capability of the RLV under more challenging release conditions (cross range of 500 m against 150 m for LEX-02) and more severe wind conditions.

RLV-LEX3 Video pic.twitter.com/MkYLP4asYY

— ISRO (@isro) June 23, 2024

The winged vehicle, ‘Pushpak’, was released from an Indian Air Force Chinook Helicopter at an altitude of 4.5 km. From a release point 4.5 km away from the runway, Pushpak autonomously executed cross-range correction manoeuvres, approached the runway and performed a precise horizontal landing at the runway centreline. Due to this vehicle’s low lift-to-drag ratio aerodynamic configuration, the landing velocity exceeded 320 kmph, as compared to 260 kmph for a commercial aircraft and 280 kmph for a typical fighter aircraft. After touchdown, the vehicle velocity was reduced to nearly 100 kmph using its brake parachute, after which the landing gear brakes were employed for deceleration and stop on the runway. “During this ground roll phase, Pushpak utilises its rudder and nose wheel steering system to autonomously maintain a stable and precise ground roll along the runway,” the ISRO statement said.

According to ISRO, this mission simulated the approach and landing interface and high-speed landing conditions for a vehicle returning from space, reaffirming ISRO’s expertise in acquiring the most critical technologies required for the development of a RLV.

Through this mission, the advanced guidance algorithm catering to longitudinal and lateral plane error corrections, which is essential for the future Orbital Re-entry Mission, has been validated. The RLV-LEX uses multi-sensor fusion including sensors like inertial sensor, Radar altimeter, Flush air data system, Pseudolite system and NavIC. Notably, the RLV-LEX-03 mission reused the winged body and flight systems as such without any modification, from the LEX-02 mission, demonstrating the robustness of ISRO’s capability of design to reuse flight systems for multiple missions.

This mission simulates the approach and landing interface and high-speed landing conditions for a vehicle returning from space, which will reaffirm ISRO’s expertise in acquiring the most critical technologies required for the development of a Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) asserts ISRO

India embarked on making its own version of the swadeshi ‘space shuttle’ by planning about it more than 15 years ago, but actual work, it seems, started 10 years ago when a dedicated team of engineers and scientists plunged into making RLV a reality. The 6.5 metre aeroplane-like spacecraft weighs 1.75 tonnes.

During the descent phase, which is essentially a glider like event, small thrusters will help the vehicle to be navigated to the exact spot where it is supposed to land.

The making of the Indian space shuttle or RLV has taken more than 10 years and the government has invested over Rs 100 crore in the project.

Mr Somanath congratulated the team for their efforts in maintaining the success streak in such complex missions. Dr S Unnikrishnan Nair, director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, emphasised that this consistent success boosts ISRO’s confidence in the critical technologies essential for future orbital re-entry missions.

Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi called on ISRO Chairman S. Somanath at Antariksh Bhawan in Bengaluru on June 18, 2024. 
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi called on ISRO Chairman S. Somanath at Antariksh Bhawan in Bengaluru on June 18. 

Mr. Gopi and Mr. Somanath discussed the use of space technology-based inputs for analysing the flood risk associated with the Mullaperiyar and Idukki dams in Kerala. 

In the light of increasing incidents of extreme weather events across India, the Minister expressed an urgent need to evaluate the worst-case flood scenario linked to these dams.

Mr. Somanath assured ISRO’s support in making space-based inputs, such as high-resolution terrain data, available to researchers engaged in flood modelling to assess probable inundation, and identify potential rehabilitation areas. He suggested developing a prototype solution integrating flood risk with rescue and rehabilitation planning, along with satellite communication capabilities, and capacity building on the role of space-based support for disaster management.

Mr. Gopi stressed the need to study the extent and nature of siltation in the dams, and evaluate the possible utilisation of the sludge to support local industries.

Prof. (Dr.) Jaison Paul Mulerikkal, Principal, Rajagiri School of Engineering & Technology, Kochi, and his team presented their ongoing research on flood risk modelling in the Periyar river basin. The requirement for very high-resolution terrain data was highlighted, as publicly available terrain data is insufficient for such studies. 

Sunil Paul of Christ College of Engineering, Ernakulum, briefed the gathering on development of a remotely operated solution for bathymetric survey and siltation assessment in dams.

Dr. Prakash Chauhan, Director, NRSC-ISRO, Hyderabad, and his team presented the spatial flood early warning system developed by NRSC for the Godavari and Tapi rivers, wherein high-resolution ALTM-based digital elevation data was used, and the reservoir sedimentation studies conducted at NRSC.

The team from Rajagiri School of Engineering & Technology, Kochi, plans to visit NRSC for further discussions.

Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi called on ISRO Chairman S. Somanath at Antariksh Bhawan in Bengaluru on June 18, 2024. Photo: Special Arrangement

Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi called on ISRO Chairman S. Somanath at Antariksh Bhawan in Bengaluru on June 18. 

Mr. Gopi and Mr. Somanath discussed the use of space technology-based inputs for analysing the flood risk associated with the Mullaperiyar and Idukki dams in Kerala. 

In the light of increasing incidents of extreme weather events across India, the Minister expressed an urgent need to evaluate the worst-case flood scenario linked to these dams.

Mr. Somanath assured ISRO’s support in making space-based inputs, such as high-resolution terrain data, available to researchers engaged in flood modelling to assess probable inundation, and identify potential rehabilitation areas. He suggested developing a prototype solution integrating flood risk with rescue and rehabilitation planning, along with satellite communication capabilities, and capacity building on the role of space-based support for disaster management.

Mr. Gopi stressed the need to study the extent and nature of siltation in the dams, and evaluate the possible utilisation of the sludge to support local industries.

Prof. (Dr.) Jaison Paul Mulerikkal, Principal, Rajagiri School of Engineering & Technology, Kochi, and his team presented their ongoing research on flood risk modelling in the Periyar river basin. The requirement for very high-resolution terrain data was highlighted, as publicly available terrain data is insufficient for such studies. 

Sunil Paul of Christ College of Engineering, Ernakulum, briefed the gathering on development of a remotely operated solution for bathymetric survey and siltation assessment in dams.

Dr. Prakash Chauhan, Director, NRSC-ISRO, Hyderabad, and his team presented the spatial flood early warning system developed by NRSC for the Godavari and Tapi rivers, wherein high-resolution ALTM-based digital elevation data was used, and the reservoir sedimentation studies conducted at NRSC.

The team from Rajagiri School of Engineering & Technology, Kochi, plans to visit NRSC for further discussions.

Thiruvananthapuram:

ISRO Chairman S Somanath today advised setting up libraries in temples, stating that such an initiative would help attract youngsters to places of worship.

Speaking after receiving an award instituted by the Sree Udiyannoor Devi Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Mr Somanath said “Temples should not only be places where elderly people come for nama japa (chanting the name of God), but they should also become places for transforming society.”

He urged temple managements across the country to work towards attracting young people to temples.

“I expected youngsters in large numbers at this award presentation ceremony, but somehow their numbers are considerably low. Temple managements should work towards attracting them to the temples. Why not set up libraries in temples?” he asked after receiving the award from former ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair.

He said that such an initiative would help attract youth to temples where they could read, discuss various issues in the evenings, and develop their careers.

“If the temple managements work in that direction, it would bring big changes,” Mr Somanath said.

Former Chief Secretary K Jayakumar and VK Prasanth MLA were among the dignitaries who attended the function.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)