ISRO's reusable launch vehicle Pushpak achieves third consecutive successful landing test

CHITRADURGA: The third landing test of ISRO's reusable launch vehicle Pushpak (RLV) has been successful. ISRO claimed that Pushpak's third consecutive landing test success was a rare achievement.

The test took place at DRDO Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka yesterday at 7.10 am. Pushpak was lifted four and a half kilometers above sea level by an Air Force Chinook helicopter and freed down. The spacecraft controlled its direction and speed and returned to the runway. The next step is the orbital reentry test, which sends the RLV into space and returns it.

Pushpak's first landing test was on April 2 last year. The second test was conducted on March 22. The same probe was used for both experiments. Pushpak's landing gear was reinforced, taking lessons from the first test.

It is developed on the model of NASA's Space Shuttle. After reaching the space, it will land safely on the runway. It can be used more than once for satellite launches. The cost of satellite launch can be reduced. It has indigenously developed navigation and control systems.

Experiments including sending Pushpak to space in a rocket and bringing it back to earth are underway. Pushpak weighs 1.75 tonnes, length - 6.5 meters.