Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for the second landing test of its Reusable Launch Vehicle, now dubbed Pushpak, as part of efforts to develop crucial technologies for achieving low-cost access to space.
ISRO aims to establish essential capabilities for a fully reusable launch vehicle, aligning with its ambitious plan to construct a space station by the year 2035, bolstering India's space exploration endeavours.
According to a report by India Today, sources within ISRO indicate that the upcoming landing test of Pushpak is likely to take place by the end of the current month, although an official confirmation of the precise date is awaited from the space agency.
Pushpak, functioning as a winged technology demonstrator, serves as a flying test bed for assessing critical technologies including hypersonic flight, autonomous landing, and powered cruise flight, facilitating advancements in aerospace engineering.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a comprehensive update on Pushpak's development during his recent visit to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, where ISRO chief S Somnath provided insights into the vehicle's progress.
ISRO's conceptualization of the Reusable Launch Vehicle dates back to January 2012, with subsequent approval from the National Review Committee leading to the construction of the first prototype, known as the RLV-TD.
Through rigorous testing and collaborations with institutions like the National Aerospace Laboratory and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Pushpak has demonstrated critical capabilities such as autonomous landing, paving the way for orbital re-entry manoeuvres.
With its innovative design and capabilities, Pushpak holds the promise of substantially reducing launch costs by up to 80%, thereby democratizing space exploration and fostering a more sustainable approach to space missions.