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{{short description|Indian reusable rocket technology demonstration programme.}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox space programme | name = RLV Technology Demonstration Programme
| image = RLV-TD HEX01, TDV being hoisted.jpg
| caption = Technology Development Vehicle (TDV) for RLV Programme
| image_size = 300px
| country = [[India]]
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| duration = 2012–present<ref>{{cite web | url=https://spacenews.com/34979isro-to-begin-flights-of-reusable-launcher-test-bed/ | title=ISRO to Begin Flights of Reusable Launcher Test Bed }}</ref>
| firstflight = 01:30 UTC, 23 May 2016 <ref name='HEXlaunched'>{{cite news|title=India's First-Ever Indigenous Space Shuttle RLV-TD Launched Successfully|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-all-set-to-launch-its-own-space-shuttle-today-1408943|access-date=2016-05-23|archive-date=2016-05-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523081541/http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-all-set-to-launch-its-own-space-shuttle-today-1408943|url-status=live}}</ref>
| lastflight
| successes =
3 Landing flights
| launchsite = {{bullet list | [[Satish Dhawan Space Centre]] (HEX)| [[Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range]] (
| launcher = Modified-[[Geosynchronous_Satellite_Launch_Vehicle#GSLV_Mark_II|GSLV Mark II]] L40 stage
| organisation = Indian Space Research Organisation
}}
'''Reusable Launch Vehicle–Technology Demonstration Programme''' is a series of [[technology demonstration]] missions that has been conceived by
▲'''Reusable Launch Vehicle–Technology Demonstration Programme''' is a series of [[technology demonstration]] missions that has been conceived by the [[ISRO|Indian Space Research Organisation]] (ISRO) as a first step towards realising a [[Two Stage To Orbit]] (TSTO) [[reusable launch vehicle]], in which the second stage is a [[spaceplane]].<ref>{{cite web |date=2 June 2015 |title=Indian Space Research Organisation to test its reusable RLV spacecraft |url=http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/isro/indian-space-research-organisation-to-test-its-reusable-rlv-spacecraft/ |work=SpaceFlight Insider |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108114851/https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/isro/indian-space-research-organisation-to-test-its-reusable-rlv-spacecraft/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
For this purpose, a winged reusable launch vehicle technology demonstrator ('''RLV-TD''') has been configured. The RLV-TD acted as a flying test bed to evaluate various technologies like powered cruise flight, [[hypersonic flight]], and autonomous landing using air-breathing propulsion. Application of these technologies would bring down the launch cost by a factor of 10.<ref name="Presentation">{{cite web |url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/T25O2kOeVcOL2vRfml0baK/Isros-small-steps-towards-developing-its-own-reusable-rocke.html |title=Tuesday, December 22, Isro's small steps towards developing its own reusable rocket [Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV)] program |work=LIVE MINT, IN |date=2015 |access-date=2015-12-23 |archive-date=2016-05-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526125339/http://www.livemint.com/Politics/T25O2kOeVcOL2vRfml0baK/Isros-small-steps-towards-developing-its-own-reusable-rocke.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This project has no connection with the [[Avatar (spacecraft)|Avatar]] spaceplane concept by India's [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]].<ref name="Avatar is DRDO">{{cite web |url=http://dos.gov.in/sites/default/files/USQ251.pdf |title=Government of India Department of Space |date=March 14, 2012 |access-date=2016-04-27 |quote=Feasibility study of project "AVATAR)" has been done by a group of scientists in DRDO. ISRO has no connection with the project. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805065726/http://dos.gov.in/sites/default/files/USQ251.pdf |archive-date=August 5, 2016 }}</ref>
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A series of four RLV-TD test flights have been planned by ISRO:<ref name="Launch vehicle approved"/><ref name="Demonstration program">{{cite news|title=Demonstration program|publisher=[[ISRO]] website|access-date=23 May 2016|url=http://www.isro.gov.in/technology-development-programmes/reusable-launch-vehicle-technology-demonstration-program-rlv-td|archive-date=23 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523073038/http://www.isro.gov.in/technology-development-programmes/reusable-launch-vehicle-technology-demonstration-program-rlv-td|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Low cost access">{{cite news|title=Low cost access|publisher=bharat-rakshak.com|access-date=23 May 2016|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/media/33219-5/IMG_0024.JPG|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165739/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/media/33219-5/IMG_0024.JPG|url-status=live}}</ref>
* HEX (Hypersonic Flight Experiment) -
* LEX (Landing Experiment) -
* REX (Return Flight Experiment), later renamed to OREX (Orbital Return Flight Experiment) -
* SPEX (Scramjet Propulsion Experiment) -
A team of 750 engineers at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, [[National Aerospace Laboratories]], and [[Indian Institute of Science]] worked on the design and development of RLV-TD and the associated rocket. RLV-TD underwent 120 hours of [[wind tunnel]], 5,000 hours of [[computational fluid dynamics]] and 1,100 runs of [[flight simulation]] tests. RLV-TD has mass of 1.75 tonnes, [[wingspan]] of 3.6 meters and overall length of 6.5 meters (excluding the rocket). The vehicle had 600 heat-resistant tiles on its undercarriage and it features [[delta wing]]s and angled [[Vertical stabilizer|tail fins]].<ref name="India Flies Winged Space Plane On Experimental Suborbital Launch">{{cite news|title=India Flies Winged Space Plane On Experimental Suborbital Launch|publisher=spaceflightnow.com|access-date=24 May 2016|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/05/23/india-flies-winged-space-plane-on-experimental-suborbital-launch/|archive-date=30 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830125724/https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/05/23/india-flies-winged-space-plane-on-experimental-suborbital-launch/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ISRO's Reusable Launch Vehicle What Happened And What Next">{{cite news|title=ISRO's Reusable Launch Vehicle What Happened And What Next|publisher=thewire.in|access-date=24 May 2016|url=http://thewire.in/2016/05/24/isros-reusable-launch-vehicle-what-happened-and-what-next-38312/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525122822/http://thewire.in/2016/05/24/isros-reusable-launch-vehicle-what-happened-and-what-next-38312/|archive-date=25 May 2016}}</ref> Total cost of the project was {{INRConvert|95|c|1|no|to=USD|year=2016}}.<ref name="VSSC to find new skies">{{cite news|title=VSSC to find new skies|publisher=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=24 May 2016|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/VSSC-to-find-new-skies-through-RLV-TD-launch/2016/05/18/article3438189.ece|archive-date=15 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915054724/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/VSSC-to-find-new-skies-through-RLV-TD-launch/2016/05/18/article3438189.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="India's own space shuttle launched successfully">{{cite news|title=India's own space shuttle launched successfully|publisher=[[The Hindustan Times]]|access-date=24 May 2016|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/india-s-very-own-space-shuttle-launched-successfully-by-isro/story-53k4Yr6sdfxzj7BS9vEUSO.html|archive-date=30 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830111244/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/india-s-very-own-space-shuttle-launched-successfully-by-isro/story-53k4Yr6sdfxzj7BS9vEUSO.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Future planned developments include testing an air-breathing propulsion system, which aims to capitalise on the oxygen in the atmosphere instead of liquefied oxygen while in flight.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thebetterindia.com/56310/indian-space-research-organization-rlv-air-breathing-propulsion-system/|title=ISRO to Test Rocket That Uses Oxygen Directly from the Atmosphere to Fuel Itself|date=2016-05-26|language=en-US|access-date=2016-07-07|archive-date=2016-09-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908010913/http://www.thebetterindia.com/56310/indian-space-research-organization-rlv-air-breathing-propulsion-system/|url-status=live}}</ref> The aerodynamic characterization research was conducted at the [[National Aerospace Laboratories]]' 1.2m Trisonic Wind Tunnel Facility.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-06 |title=Bengaluru: 1.2m trisonic wind tunnel at National Aerospace Laboratories completes 55 years of service |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/bengaluru-12m-trisonic-wind-tunnel-at-national-aerospace-laboratories-completes-55-years-of-service20220606001500/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=ANI |language=en}}</ref>
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=== Hypersonic Flight Experiment ===
{{For|Japan's Hypersonic Flight Experiment|HYFLEX}}
The Reusable Launch Vehicle Hypersonic Flight Experiment or '''RLV HEX''' was the first test flight in the RLV Technology Demonstration Programme. HEX was successfully conducted on 23 May 2016.<ref name='HEXlaunched' /><ref>[https://www.isro.gov.in/update/23-may-2016/india%E2%80%99s-reusable-launch-vehicle-technology-demonstrator-rlv-td-successfully India’s Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD), Successfully Flight Tested] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209034327/https://www.isro.gov.in/update/23-may-2016/india%E2%80%99s-reusable-launch-vehicle-technology-demonstrator-rlv-td-successfully |date=2021-02-09 }}. 23 May 2016. ISRO.</ref><ref name=RLV-TD-1>[https://www.isro.gov.in/launcher/rlv-td RLV-TD] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417233754/https://www.isro.gov.in/launcher/rlv-td |date=2021-04-17 }}. ISRO. 23 May 2016. Includes diagrams.</ref> RLV-TD consists of a fuselage (body), a nose cap, double delta wings and twin vertical rudders. It has active control surfaces called Elevons and Rudders.<ref name="RLV-TD-1" /> Apart from the twin rudders it is similar in shape and operation to a small Space Shuttle Orbiter. TDV uses 600 or so heat resistant silica tiles and Flexible External Insulation, nose-cap is made out Carbon-Carbon composite with SiC coating. The leading edges of twin rudders are Inconel-718, wing leading edges of 15CDV6.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kumar |first1=Kiran |title="Indigenous Development of Materials for Space Programme" |date=28 April 2016 |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/ISRO/comments/4grmoe/indigenous_development_of_materials_for_space/ |access-date=30 June 2020 |archive-date=30 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630171158/https://old.reddit.com/r/ISRO/comments/4grmoe/indigenous_development_of_materials_for_space/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=SILICA TILES AS A THERMAL PROTECTION FOR RLV-TD |url=http://www.aerojournalindia.com/2017%20contents/Abstract%20of%20VSSC%20Special%20Issue_2017/Abstract%20of%20M_R_A_R_G_C_V_M_M_P_R.pdf |access-date=30 June 2020 |archive-date=30 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630175238/http://www.aerojournalindia.com/2017%20contents/Abstract%20of%20VSSC%20Special%20Issue_2017/Abstract%20of%20M_R_A_R_G_C_V_M_M_P_R.pdf |url-status=usurped }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Current Science Volume 114 - Issue 01 |url=http://www.currentscience.ac.in/php/toc.php?vol=114&issue=01 |access-date=30 June 2020 |archive-date=30 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630233024/https://www.currentscience.ac.in/php/toc.php?vol=114&issue=01 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The technology behind India's Reusable Launch Vehicle |date=12 November 2018 |url=https://www.spacetechasia.com/technology-behind-indias-reusable-launch-vehicle/ |access-date=30 June 2020 |archive-date=30 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630173633/https://www.spacetechasia.com/technology-behind-indias-reusable-launch-vehicle/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=A Deep Dive Into ISRO's Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology – Part I |url=http://delhidefencereview.com/2020/02/24/a-deep-dive-into-isros-reusable-launch-vehicle-technology-part-i/ |access-date=30 June 2020 |archive-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628170038/http://delhidefencereview.com/2020/02/24/a-deep-dive-into-isros-reusable-launch-vehicle-technology-part-i/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=A Deep Dive Into ISRO's Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology – Part II |url=http://delhidefencereview.com/2020/05/04/a-deep-dive-into-isros-reusable-launch-vehicle-technology-part-ii/ |access-date=30 June 2020 |archive-date=3 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703121307/http://delhidefencereview.com/2020/05/04/a-deep-dive-into-isros-reusable-launch-vehicle-technology-part-ii/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>▼
[[File:RLV-TD HEX01 Logo.svg|thumb|RLV-HEX01 flight badge]]
▲The Reusable Launch Vehicle Hypersonic Flight Experiment or '''RLV HEX''' was the first test flight in the RLV Technology Demonstration Programme. HEX was successfully conducted on 23 May 2016.<ref name=
HEX was the first test flight of a reusable launch vehicle developed by India. The test flight objectives included:<ref name="hindu.com">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/An-Indian-space-shuttle-takes-shape/article16607270.ece |title=''An Indian space shuttle takes shape'' 2009 |newspaper=The Hindu |date=31 March 2009 |access-date=2023-04-24 |archive-date=2023-04-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404081839/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/An-Indian-space-shuttle-takes-shape/article16607270.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>
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==== RLV-LEX-03 ====
ISRO completed the preparation for the third and last RLV landing experiment, RLV-LEX-03. At the Mission Readiness Review meet on 7 June 2024, [[S. Unnikrishnan Nair]], Director of the [[Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre|Vikram Sarabhai Space Center]], certified the mission for the first half of June at the [[Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range]], subject to weather conditions. In contrast to LEX-02, where the altitude was the same but the lateral distance from the runway was 150 meters, Pushpak will be flown by an IAF Chinook helicopter to a height of 4.5 kilometers and 500 meters to one side of the runway in LEX-03 before being released. The goal of the LEX-03 mission is to investigate methods for lowering the sink rate, or rate of descent, in order to lessen the impact weight. Pushpak will carry an onboard real-time kinematics (RTK) package. The test will also determine how well Pushpak performs in scenarios with a tailwind.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Rajwi |first=Tiki |date=2024-06-08 |title=ISRO all set for third reusable launch vehicle landing experiment |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/isro-all-set-for-third-reusable-launch-vehicle-landing-experiment/article68266926.ece |access-date=2024-06-09 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>[[File:Reusable Launch Vehicle Autonomous Landing Experiment (RLV LEX-03).webm|thumb|New onboard kinematics package in LEX-03 improved [[NavIC]] accuracy through multi-sensor fusion, enabling real-time error correction for autonomous landing.]]The date of the test was shifted to the end of 2nd week of June due to poor weather conditions. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-17 |title=ISRO's reusable launch vehicle, made for low-cost space missions, set for 3rd test landing this week |url=https://theprint.in/science/isros-reusable-launch-vehicle-made-for-low-cost-space-missions-set-for-3rd-test-landing-this-week/2134892/ |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> The test was successfully conducted on 23rd June from Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range. Pushpak was released from an Indian Air Force Chinook Helicopter at an altitude of 4.5 km.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Isro's reusable launch vehicle completes 3rd landing test, paving way for orbital re-entry |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/isros-reusable-launch-vehicle-completes-3rd-landing-test-paving-way-for-orbital-re-entry/
Pushpak automatically carried out cross-range correction maneuvers during the LEX-03 mission, approached the runway, and made a precise horizontal touchdown at the centerline of the runway. The vehicle's braking parachute was used to slow down to almost 100 kmph after touchdown, and the landing gear brakes were then used to bring the vehicle to a stop and decelerate on the runway. Pushpak uses its nose wheel and rudder steering system to automatically maintain a steady and accurate ground roll along the runway during this ground roll phase.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2024-06-23 |title=ISRO successfully conducts third and final 'Pushpak' Reusable Launch Vehicle landing experiment |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/isro-successfully-conducts-third-and-final-pushpak-reusable-launch-vehicle-landing-experiment/article68323211.ece |access-date=2024-06-23 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
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=== Future ===
Two more experiments are planned by ISRO: '''OREX''' (Orbital Return Flight Experiment) and '''SPEX''' (Scramjet Propulsion Experiment).<ref name="FinalTouches2015" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/media/33219-5/IMG_0024.JPG |title=Poster on the RLV-TD |access-date=2009-07-30 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165739/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/media/33219-5/IMG_0024.JPG |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.isro.gov.in/technology-development-programmes/reusable-launch-vehicle-technology-demonstration-program-rlv-td| title=Reusable Launch Vehicle - Technology Demonstration Program (RLV-TD) - ISRO| work=isro.gov.in| access-date=2015-06-08| archive-date=2016-05-23| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523073038/http://www.isro.gov.in/technology-development-programmes/reusable-launch-vehicle-technology-demonstration-program-rlv-td| url-status=dead}}</ref> The OREX will launch on a [[Geosynchronous_Satellite_Launch_Vehicle|GSLV]] rocket with [[Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle#Fourth stage|PS-4]] stage instead of its [[Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle#Third stage|CUS]] [[upper stage]]s (due to decreased performance required for a suborbital flight unlike a regular GSLV launch) and [[RLV-TD|Orbital Re-entry vehicle]] (ORV) in place of its [[ogive]] [[payload fairing]] and re-enter the earth's atmosphere for a landing to demonstrate the viability of the project. The OREX vehicle will be 1.6 times larger than the Landing Experiment's Pushpak platform. It will have retractable landing gear and a thermal protection system for a safe re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.<ref name=":1" />
== Gallery ==
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