Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) knowledgeable that it efficiently carried out the autonomous check touchdown mission of the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) on the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Karnataka’s Chitradurga on Sunday. An announcement issued by ISRO mentioned, “India achieved it. ISRO joined by DRDO successfully conducted the Reusable Launch Vehicle Autonomous Landing Mission (RLV LEX) at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR), Chitradurga, Karnataka in the early hours on April 2, 2023.” According to the assertion, the RLV took off at 7:10 am by a Chinook Helicopter of the Indian Air Force.Â
The launch of RLV was autonomous. Then utilizing the Integrated Navigation, Guidance & management system, the RLV accomplished an autonomous touchdown on the ATR at 7:40 AM. With that, ISRO efficiently achieved the autonomous touchdown of an area car. The assertion mentioned, “The autonomous landing was carried out under the exact conditions of a Space Re-entry vehicle`s landing high speed, unmanned, precise landing from the same return path as if the vehicle arrives from space. LEX utilized several indigenous systems. Localized Navigation systems, instrumentation, and sensor systems, etc. were developed by ISRO.”
RLV lands on a runway pic.twitter.com/hXdKlII57J
— ISRO (@isro) April 2, 2023
“ISRO had demonstrated the re-entry of its winged vehicle RLV-TD in the HEX mission in May 2016. The re-entry of a hypersonic sub-orbital vehicle marked a major accomplishment in developing Reusable Launch Vehicles. The LEX began with an Integrated Navigation test in 2019 and followed multiple Engineering Model Trials and Captive Phase tests in subsequent years”, reads the assertion.
Along with ISRO, Indian Air Force (IAF), Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), and Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) contributed to this check. Dr S Unnikrishnan Nair, Director, VSSC, and Shyam Mohan N, Programme Director, ATSP guided the groups.
Dr Jayakumar M, Project Director, RLV was the Mission Director, and Muthupandian J, Associate Project Director, RLV was the Vehicle Director for the mission. Ramakrishna, Director, ISTRAC was current on the event. Chairman, ISRO/Secretary, DOS Somanath witnessed the check and congratulated the staff.With LEX, the dream of an Indian Reusable Launch Vehicle arrives one step nearer to actuality, mentioned the ISRO officers.
