ISRO's experiment a huge success; India lands launch rocket on runway

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: India has achieved a historic success in testing a reusable rocket(RLV) in the form of a plane that will launch satellites into space and then return to Earth. The test was conducted yesterday morning at ISRO's aeronautical test range in Chitradurga, Karnataka.

Such rockets can land safely and launch back into space for their next mission. The experimental success is expected to drastically reduce launch costs and benefit space tourism, high-speed spacecraft for space travel, and the space station program. Its technologies will enable better performance of GSLV and PSLV rockets. Recycled rockets, including SpaceX's Falcon rockets, are made to land on special barges at sea.

The experiment was led under the leadership of ISRO Chairman Dr. S Somanath, VSSC Director Dr. S Unnikrishnan Nair and ATSP Program Director Shyammohan N. RLV Project Director Dr. Jayakumar M was the Mission Director and Associate Project Director Muthupandian J was the Vehicle Director.

The test was done at 4.6 km.

• At 7.10 am, the RLV rocket was brought to a height of 4.6 km from the ground using an American-made Chinook helicopter of the Indian Army at the aeronautical test range in Chitradurga.
• The released rocket was guided to the runway on Earth using its integrated navigation, guidance and control system.
• The parachute attached to the back was deployed and the speed was lowered slowly and steadily.
• After touching the runway, the rocket ran along the runway like an airplane and stopped at the fixed position.

In the release conditions related to the re-entry of the rockets, around 10 international standards such as position, speed, height, and body rate were strictly followed.