RLV Technology Demonstration Programme: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:33, 27 July 2025

Revision as of 19:58, 27 July 2025

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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/amp_articleshowarticleshow/111200124.cms |access-date=2024-06-23 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

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>