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India scripts history by launching its own homegrown RLV
IISRO entered history books with the launch of its winged reusable launch vehicle (RLV) in Sriharikota. The landmark launch can be considered to be another milestone in ISRO’s journey thus far. Though the US and Russia have launched reusable vehicles in the past, this is the first time India has done something of this sort via innovative means.
The indigenously devised shuttle has caught people’s attention as its capable of diminishing costs of launching rockets by nearly 10 times. This will help India in strengthening its foothold in the space launch industry and easily send more satellites into space.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) director Devi Prasad Karnik said, “We have successfully accomplished the RLV mission as a technology demonstrator. The lift-off was at 7.00 A.M. from the first launch pad here.”
ISRO demonstrated its space technology prowess with this launch and it’s the second grand achievement of the space agency within a short span of time since the Mars Mission. The mini-shuttle landed in the Bay of Bengal on its way back, about 500 Km from the coast. Overall, it completed a 10 minute flight at about 70 Km above Earth.
The successful mission has enhanced ISRO’s capabilities as it can now arrange data on hypersonic speed, autonomous landing and powered cruise flight with the use of air-breathing propulsion.
ISRO has utilised cutting edge technology to develop the vehicle and its been seen as a revolutionary step amongst the country’s space achievements. Till date, ISRO has used Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) for putting satellites in various orbits. However, these have been termed as Expendable Launch Vehicles (ELVs) as they usually get burned once satellites are sent into space. This leads to the use of new rockets every time satellites are launched.
The RLV, as discussed earlier has been a major breakthrough in the country’s space program and we can also dream of sending Indian astronauts to space in the future.
