CHENNAI: In a significant leap ahead, The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday successfully tested the landing of its reusable launch vehicle (RLV), dubbed ‘Pushpak.’
The test, known as RLV LEX-2, was conducted at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Karnataka’s Chitradurga.
According to ISRO, the RLV LEX-2 demonstrated its autonomous landing capability from off-nominal initial conditions after being released from a helicopter. The ‘Indian space shuttle,’ Pushpak, was lifted by an Indian Air Force helicopter and released from an altitude of 4.5 km.
During the test, Pushpak autonomously approached the runway from a distance of 4 km, making cross-range corrections along the way. It then precisely landed on the runway and came to a halt using its brake parachute landing gear and nose wheel steering system.
This successful test marks the second time ISRO has completed a test landing of its RLV. The mission simulated the approach and high-speed landing conditions of an RLV returning from space, reaffirming ISRO’s technological capabilities in navigation, control systems, and landing gear.
“ISRO utilised the winged body and flight systems previously used in the RLV-LEX-01 test, validating the reuse capability of flight hardware and systems. The airframe structure and landing gear were strengthened based on feedback from the first test landing,” the Indian Space Agency said.
The mission was executed by ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in collaboration with the Liquid Propulsion System Centre and the ISRO Inertial Systems Unit, along with various other government agencies.
Dr. S. Unnikrishnan Nair highlighted that with repeated success, ISRO could master terminal phase maneuvering, landing, and energy management in a fully autonomous mode, a critical step towards future orbital re-entry missions.
The team was led by Sunil P., Programme Director of Advanced Technology and Systems Programme at VSSC, J. Muthupandian, Project Director of RLV, and B. Karthik, Deputy Project Director of RLV.
