TechISRO's RLV-TD shuttle demonstrates promising future for reusable space technology
ISRO's RLV‑TD shuttle demonstrates promising future for reusable space technology
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully carried out a test of the RLV-TD Pushpack space shuttle demonstrator. This trial involved replicating conditions akin to the shuttle's re-entry from a space mission, and it was deemed a complete success.
The RLV-RD Pushpack shuttle was hoisted into the sky by a CH-47F Chinook helicopter, reaching an altitude of approximately 4.5 km before it detached. The shuttle then autonomously corrected its flight path and glided down to land smoothly at the designated airport.
ISRO highlighted that the test replicated the critical conditions of a space shuttle's return journey, including the complex maneuvers and the challenge of landing at high velocities.
A noteworthy aspect of this test is the reuse of components from an earlier demonstrator, underscoring the potential for the shuttle’s subsequent missions to incorporate reusable parts.
The inaugural test for this space shuttle using a launch vehicle took place in 2016. For that trial, the demonstrator climbed to about 70 km before descending in a controlled manner, eventually landing on a simulated "runway" designed in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
The RLV-TD Pushpack Shuttle
The unmanned RLV-TD Pushpack is quite petite, measuring 6.5 metres in length and a wingspan of 3.6 metres, making it roughly 30 percent smaller than the American shuttle X-37B. The ultimate goal for the Indian shuttle is to be about double the size of this demonstrator.
At this point, the RLV-TD is leveraged as a flying laboratory, facilitating the exploration and development of technologies related to hypersonic speed flight, autonomous landing, and powered flight among others.
Launched in 2012, the shuttle development programme aims to reduce India's cost of conducting space missions substantially.
The vision is that, by employing such reusable shuttles, India would slash the expenses of transporting cargo to low Earth orbit by a staggering 80 percent. It's anticipated that Indian space missions using reusable vehicles will commence by the end of this decade.
