REUSABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE–TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMME
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Context
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is aiming to carry out a landing experiment (LEX).
- LEX is a critical component of the Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstration (RLV-TD) programme.
About
- Reusable Launch Vehicle–Technology Demonstration Programme is a series of technology demonstration missions that has been conceived by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- It is s a first step towards realizing a Two Stage To Orbit (TSTO) re-usable launch vehicle.
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A two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) or two-stage rocket launch vehicle is a spacecraft in which two distinct stages provide propulsion consecutively in order to achieve orbital velocity. It is intermediate between a three-stage-to-orbit launcher and a hypothetical single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) launcher. |
- For this purpose, a winged reusable launch vehicle technology demonstrator (RLV-TD) has been configured.
- The RLV-TD acted as a flying test bed to evaluate various technologies like powered cruise flight, hypersonic flight, and autonomous landing using air-breathing propulsion.
The experiment
- RLV-LEX involves taking an unmanned, winged prototype to an altitude of about 2.3 km to 2.4 km on a helicopter and releasing it to land at a airstrip at Chitradurga, Karnataka.
- The prototype will be released 3.7 km away from the airstrip.
- It must travel the distance autonomously, gain velocity, maintain control and come in like any typical aircraft, touching down with the rear wheels first. A parachute will then be deployed for braking.
- LEX will be repeated a number of times in the months ahead for testing various parameters.
Significance-Cost-effective
- A major hurdle in space exploration is the prohibitive cost, which can be slashed if the launch vehicle is a reusable one. This means the vehicle will return to earth intact after a mission.
- The RLV-TD programme comprises a series of experimental missions aimed at making India's dream of owning a reusable, two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) vehicle, come true.
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