In a noteworthy display of proficiency in Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) technology, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) executed the RLV LEX-02 landing experiment on Friday. The Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga hosted the second of the vehicle’s landing experiments at 7:10 am, 22 March.
This most recent experiment demonstrated the autonomous landing capability of an RLV in off-nominal initial conditions upon release from a helicopter, following the successful completion of the RLV-LEX-01 mission last year, the Bengaluru-headquartered ISRO said in a statement. The RLV was modified in order to do more challenging manoeuvres with dispersions, correct both downrange and cross range, and land on the runway in a completely autonomous mode.
An Indian Air Force Chinook aircraft raised Pushpak, which was then dropped from a height of 4.5 kilometres. After launch, Pushpak made cross-range corrections and drove itself in the direction of the runway. It made a perfect landing on the runway and used its nose wheel steering system, landing gear brakes, and braking parachute to bring itself to a stop.
The space agency also noted that this flight effectively replicated the approach and high-speed landing conditions that an RLV would experience during its return from space.
After obtaining the required certification and permissions, ISRO reported that the winged body and all flying systems used in the RLV-LEX-01 mission were reused in the RLV-LEX-02 mission. This highlights the mission’s proven capacity to reuse flight gear and systems.
