• UGI USER
  • Jun 24, 2024
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PUSHPAK – ISRO’S REUSABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE

Why in the news?

  • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully completed the third reusable launch vehicle landing experiment (RLV LEX-03) at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka.
  • This mission demonstrated Pushpak’s autonomous landing capabilities under challenging conditions, marking a significant milestone in ISRO’s reusable launch vehicle program.
Source: India Times

Key Features of the Test:

  • Pushpak was released from an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter at an altitude of 4.5 km.
  • The test used sensors such as inertial sensors, radar altimeters, flush air data systems, and NavIC, and reused the winged body and flight systems from the previous LEX-02 mission.
About Pushpak

Overview:

  • The Pushpak, also known as the RLV-TD (Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Demonstrator), is India’s first uncrewed flying testbed developed by ISRO under the RLV Technology Demonstration Programme, initiated in 2012.

Development and Objectives:

  • The primary goal is to develop a two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) reusable launch vehicle, aiming to reduce payload delivery costs to low Earth orbit by 80%. It tests hypersonic flight, autonomous landing, powered cruise flight, and air-breathing engine propulsion.

Test Flight Series:

  • HEX: Demonstrates hypersonic flight.
  • LEX: Validates autonomous landing technologies.
  • REX: Tests the vehicle’s safe return from space.
  • SPEX: Planned to test a scramjet propulsion system.