Pushpak – ISRO’s Reusable Launch Vehicle, Clears Landing Test (GS Paper 3, Defence)
Introduction:
- On June 23, 2024, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) marked a significant milestone in space technology with the successful completion of the third Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Landing Experiment (LEX) at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga, Karnataka.
- This test is part of ISRO's broader initiative to develop a fully reusable space vehicle, which promises to revolutionize space travel and satellite deployment.
Context and Objective:
- The LEX-03 experiment featured a winged vehicle named “Pushpak,” which was released from a height of 4.5 km by an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter.
- Despite challenging conditions, Pushpak successfully navigated and executed a precise landing on the runway's centerline.
- The primary objective of LEX-03 was to demonstrate ISRO’s capability for autonomous landings under difficult conditions, including significant cross-range and strong winds.
Technical Highlights and Achievements:
During the test, several key advancements in aerospace technology were demonstrated:
- Self-Navigation and Landing: Pushpak performed cross-range correction maneuvers from 4.5 km away, showcasing advanced guidance, navigation, and control systems.
- High-Speed Landing: The vehicle achieved a landing speed of over 320 km/h, significantly higher than that of conventional airplanes, highlighting the aerodynamic and structural challenges of space-entry vehicles.
- Advanced Sensor Integration: The integration of inertial sensors, radar altimeters, and the NavIC navigation system facilitated precise navigation and landing, underscoring ISRO’s advancements in aerospace technology.
- Vehicle Recovery and Reusability: After landing, Pushpak successfully employed brake parachutes and landing gear brakes, crucial for reusability. The reuse of the winged body and flying systems from the previous LEX-02 mission without modifications demonstrated the durability and reusability of the launch vehicle components.
Implications for Future Space Missions:
- The success of RLV-LEX-03 is a significant step towards developing Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) technology, which aims to make space missions more frequent and cost-effective.
- The mission's advancements in autonomous guidance algorithms and sensor fusion technology are critical for future Orbital Re-entry Missions, ensuring safe and accurate return paths.
Conclusion:
- ISRO's progress with the Pushpak RLV project heralds a new era in space exploration, bringing us closer to routine, reusable space travel and more efficient satellite deployment.
