India all set to develop reusable rockets

[LETHALFORCE]

India all set to develop reusable rockets: DRDO chief - India - DNA



After the successful launch of Agni-V Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), India is all set to develop reusable rockets which will combine the technologies of both ballistic and cruise missiles.

As part of plans to develop reusable ballistic missiles, Defence Research and Development Organisation will test indigenously developed scram jet engine next year, DRDO Chief VK Saraswat said in an interview to Doordarshan.

"We have propulsion technology, we have re-entry technologies, we have the technology which can take a re-entry system which will deliver a payload and have yet another re-entry system which will bring the missile back when it re-enters the atmosphere on its return journey," he said.

"We have demonstrated the performance of a scram jet engine operating at Mach six speed (six times the speed of sound)," he said.

On the range of Agni-V missile which was scuccessfully test-fired recently off Odisha coast, the DRDO chief said with moderate modifications, "it can be extended to any range which is of our interest."

On technological capability available with the agency, he said, "DRDO has built the necessary technologies, production infrastructure and design capability for developing a booster or a sustainer... We have the capability to develop a re-entry nose cone which can withstand higher temperature and velocity."

 

[ashicjose]

Is it possible to fire a missile with nuclear fuel ( with controlled fusion/fission explosion ).

 

[Dovah]

Is it possible to fire a missile with nuclear fuel ( with controlled fusion/fission explosion ).

No.

...................

 

[ashicjose]

please elaborate.

 

[Dovah]

please elaborate.

A nuclear reactor on a missile?

 

[ashicjose]

not a reactor ,in reactor there is no explosions happening.

 

[ashicjose]

Like solid propelled motors using nuclear fuel instead of usual fuel.
Now I am not sure about us ,but the American's can wage nuclear attack by using artillery shell and if we can miniature it to a level where we can control the explosion like in solid rocket motor, it is possible to fire a missile ( I think ).

 

[Dovah]

not a reactor ,in reactor there is no explosions happening.

Explosions are just uncontrolled nuclear reactions. Remove the control rods from the reactor and there would be explosions.

Like solid propelled motors using nuclear fuel instead of usual fuel.

To use it as a fuel you'd have to create a reactor assembly to control the chain reaction.

 

[ashicjose]

In my knowledge the reactor controlling the chain reaction and producing heat to generate electricity.

 

[ashicjose]

There is a minus point " the danger of radiation.

 

[pmaitra]

Nuclear reactor on a missile?

Technically yes. The missile will be huge, with a diameter of that of a city block.

Practically, I do not see anyone doing anything like that.

To get back to the point, how will the rockets be re-used? Will they glide back to the surface after having lifted the upper stages?

I am thinking of the Baikal concept, a reusable booster:

Baikal (rocket booster) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Dovah]

There is a minus point " the danger of radiation.

Danger of radiation on a nuclear armed missile?

 

[pmaitra]

Danger of radiation on a nuclear armed missile?

I think he is suggesting a nuclear reactor in a missile that would generate power to propel the missile.

 

[ashicjose]

@pmaitra
I mean nuclear fuel not a reactor.
@Dovah
radiation from the rocket plume
and answer to your private letter check my post 9

 

[ashicjose]

check this

Nuclear pulse propulsion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Dovah]

^^That was for spacecrafts.

 

[Rahul92]

Eco friendly in defence

 

[sayareakd]

it is missile, but it act like unmanned weapons delivery plane, which can be reused. Enemy is going to get sleepless nights.

 

[ashicjose]

^^That was for spacecrafts.

if you can use this for spacecraft then definitely same can be use for rockets.