ISRO's Reusable Launch Vehicles

[Varoon2]

It looks like that minor anomaly of wobbling as the vehicle was coming to a stop, has been eliminated in this flight!

 

[The Juggernaut]

ISRO logo outro have become cool .

 

[Gessler]

It looks like that minor anomaly of wobbling as the vehicle was coming to a stop, has been eliminated in this flight!

As per the ISRO release, they have strengthened the landing gear & fuselage in LEX-02 so they probably learnt from the first test.

That's what testing is for. You don't want to overbuild anything space-related to the point it becomes heavier than it needs to be.

 

[TopWatcher]

As per the ISRO release, they have strengthened the landing gear & fuselage in LEX-02 so they probably learnt from the first test.

That's what testing is for. You don't want to overbuild anything space-related to the point it becomes heavier than it needs to be.

So next orbital test will be with heavier pushpak ?

 

[Gessler]

So next orbital test will be with heavier pushpak ?

You mean the full-size Pushpak?

I would think so, yes. If we're talking about Orbital test, the RLV is going to require its own propulsion in order to initiate the de-orbit burns (current sub-scale RLV doesn't have any propulsion):

But I don't know what's the status of the full-scale model. I don't see how a 2024-25 timeframe is achievable for the OREX test.

 

[FalconSlayers]

 

[Varoon2]

Could someone give the dimensions of this particular RLV( Pushpak). Weight, wingspan, length, height.

 

[gReeN cHilli]

So next orbital test will be with heavier pushpak ?

At least 3 more years to OREX test I think.2027 2028 timeframe cuz propulsion system should be studied and realised...and we know the delay timeframe of ISRO very much...
From HEX (2016) to LEX (2023 2024) ISRO took 7-8 years gap ....

 

[gReeN cHilli]

Could someone give the dimensions of this particular RLV( Pushpak). Weight, wingspan, length, height
1.75 to weight
Wingspan 3.6 m
Length 6.5 m

 

[FalconSlayers]

 

[slayingheaven]

What is the use of this thing in actual sense?

 

[gReeN cHilli]

How RLV glides without any jet engine? Which is the technology behind it.....can anyone elaborate plzzz...

 

[gReeN cHilli]

What is the use of this thing in actual sense?

Deploying satellite and space station components in future missions...

 

[Varoon2]

What is the use of this thing in actual sense?

Being able to reuse the vehicle for several missions, thereby saving on costs. It is still many years away, before regular launches commence. The vehicle is in the testing phase presently.

 

[omaebakabaka]

How RLV glides without any jet engine? Which is the technology behind it.....can anyone elaborate plzzz...

Make a paper plane and go to a top of building high enough and throw it and notice and make observations and think a little bit.....advantages are fairly obvious. While you can't control paper plane's orientation in wind once it leaves your hand, sophisticaed but simple models can be built with aero dynamic surfaces that can glide easily.....relatively light weight to send up and even lighter coming down that can be controlled using computers

 

[SwordOfDarkness]

How RLV glides without any jet engine? Which is the technology behind it.....can anyone elaborate plzzz...

Potential energy and conservation of energy

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Sorry if labeled diagram has been posted earlier. India's very own space shuttle.

Hatches just like space shuttle discovery.

 

[gReeN cHilli]

Sorry if labeled diagram has been posted earlier. India's very own space shuttle.
View attachment 245492

Hatches just like space shuttle discovery.
View attachment 245493

Only 1 main back cryogenic thruster? Or cluster of thusters like space shuttle?I think cluster of thusters will be seen....

It will be interesting if crew rated shuttle like NASA comes from our ISRO RLV in later years...

Then it can dock with our space station and human shuttle mission will be cheaper than ISRO rockets.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Only 1 main back cryogenic thruster? Or cluster of thusters like space shuttle?I think cluster of thusters will be seen....

No, solid motors and clustered engines are required are initial stages for start up thrust. Since RLV's propulsion will start after separation of main booster, a single 2000kN SCE-200 engine must be good enough for a 5 to 6 tonnes (or may be even 10 tonnes depending upon orbit).

It will be interesting if crew rated shuttle like NASA comes from our ISRO RLV in later years...

There will be a derivative to carry people but far fetched.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Third landing test this year then orbital launch may be there in 2-3 years.
Second RLV Landing Trial Done, 1 More Before Key Orbital Re-Entry Test

Bengaluru: Isro achieved a milestone Friday in the development of reusable launch vehicle (RLV) technology with the completion of the second landing experiment, the RLV-LEX-02. This paves the way for the third landing experiment in the coming months, which could be the last before it attempts an orbital re-entry test.

TOI first reported this test would happen in its March 16 edition. Conducted at 7.10am at Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga’s Challakere, some 200km from Bengaluru, RLV-LEX-02 demonstrated the autonomous landing capability of RLV from “off-nominal initial conditions”.

Explaining the “off-nominal conditions”, Isro chairman S Somanath had told TOI earlier: “Last time, we’d done nominal test where dropping was aligned with runway and whole process of landing was in one plane. In the next test, we are going lateral, dropping it away from the runway and RLV will need to take a detour and come and land on the runway.”

Re-use & re-entry

Significantly, the winged body and all flight systems used in RLV-LEX-01 mission were reused in RLV-LEX-02 mission after necessary certifications, clearances, demonstrating reuse capability of flight hardware and systems.

Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) director S Unnikrishnan Nair told TOI: “Everything went extremely well. Next, we’ll carry out the third landing experiment with more extreme conditions and conclude the series of landing experiments (based on how the third one goes). Following that, we will attempt orbital re-entry test.”

Nair highlighted that through this repeated success, Isro could master the terminal phase manoeuvring, landing and energy management in a fully autonomous mode, which is a critical step towards the future development of an RLV.

Friday’s test

“Building upon the success of RLV-LEX-01 (April 2, 2023), RLV-LEX-02 involved challenging manoeuvres and dispersions, requiring the vehicle to correct cross-range and downrange deviations before landing autonomously on the runway,” Isro said.

The winged vehicle, now being called Pushpak — a name first seen on the vehicle when PM Modi visited VSCC last month and revealed the names of Gaganyaan astronauts — was lifted by an Indian Air Force (IAF) Chinook helicopter and released from an altitude of 4.5km, around 4km from the runway.

After release, Pushpak autonomously approached the runway, making necessary cross-range corrections. It then landed precisely on the runway, coming to a halt with the aid of its brake parachute, landing gear brakes, and nose wheel steering system.

“This mission simulated the approach and high-speed landing conditions of an RLV returning from space. With RLV-LEX-02, Isro has re-validated its indigenously developed technologies in areas such as navigation, control systems, landing gear, and deceleration systems. These are essential for performing high-speed autonomous landing of a space-returning vehicle,” Isro said.

The mission was accomplished by VSSC, Liquid Propulsion System Centre and Isro Inertial Systems Unit. with collaboration from various agencies, including IAF, Aeronautical Development Establishment, Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, and Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification.