📷 Image Credits: The Hindu
ISRO, the Indian Space Research Organisation, has achieved a major milestone with the successful completion of the third and final Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Landing Experiment (LEX). The mission, known as RLV LEX-03, took place on June 23, 2024, at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga, Karnataka. This landing experiment showcased the autonomous landing capability of the RLV under challenging conditions and demonstrated ISRO’s expertise in acquiring critical technologies for the development of a Reusable Launch Vehicle.
The winged vehicle, named Pushpak, was released from an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter at an altitude of 4.5 km. Pushpak autonomously executed cross-range correction manoeuvres, approached the runway, and performed a precise horizontal landing at the runway centerline. With a landing velocity exceeding 320 kmph, Pushpak showcased its advanced capabilities compared to commercial and fighter aircraft.
During the mission, ISRO validated an advanced guidance algorithm that addressed longitudinal and lateral plane error corrections, essential for future Orbital Re-entry Missions. The RLV-LEX-03 mission reused the winged body and flight systems from the previous LEX-02 mission, highlighting ISRO’s design capability to reuse flight systems for multiple missions.
The success of the RLV LEX-03 mission was a collaborative effort that involved various ISRO centers, the Indian Air Force, and other organizations. ISRO chairman S Somanath congratulated the team for their dedication and success in such complex missions. This achievement boosts ISRO’s confidence in critical technologies necessary for future orbital re-entry missions, showcasing India’s advancement in space exploration and technology development.
