ISRO’s Pushpak: 7 Key Things To Know About India’s First Reusable Launch Vehicle

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a historic feat on Friday with the successful landing of the country’s first Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) named “Pushpak.” This mission, dubbed RLV-LEX-02, marks a significant step towards ISRO’s goal of developing a fully reusable launch system, potentially revolutionising space exploration for India.

Here are seven key highlights surrounding the remarkable feat of ‘Pushpak’ and its implications for India’s space exploration ambitions:

1. Autonomous Landing Precision: ‘Pushpak’, aptly dubbed the “swadeshi space shuttle”, showcased its prowess by autonomously navigating and landing with pinpoint accuracy on the runway. Released from an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter at an altitude of 4.5 kilometres, the SUV-sized winged vehicle executed precise cross-range corrections before gracefully touching down.

2. Advanced Deceleration Systems: Employing a sophisticated array of deceleration mechanisms, including a brake parachute, landing gear brakes, and a nose wheel steering system, ‘Pushpak’ safely came to a halt upon touchdown. This demonstrates India’s proficiency in developing and integrating cutting-edge deceleration technologies crucial for high-speed autonomous landings of space-returning vehicles.

3. Simulated Space Return Conditions: The mission successfully simulated the rigorous conditions encountered during the return journey of an RLV from space, reaffirming India’s capability to undertake complex space missions. By emulating the approach and high-speed landing scenarios, ISRO has validated critical technologies essential for safe and efficient space exploration endeavours.

4. Technological Validation: ISRO’s statement highlights the mission’s role in re-validating indigenously developed technologies across various domains, including navigation, control systems, landing gear, and deceleration systems. This highlights India’s self-reliance in space technology and its commitment to advancing indigenous capabilities in aerospace engineering.

5. Operational Deployment Timeline: While the successful test marks a significant milestone, operational deployment of ‘Pushpak’ for space missions is still several years away. The experiment lays the groundwork for further refinement and enhancement of the RLV’s capabilities, signalling India’s long-term goal of achieving self-sufficiency in space exploration.

6. Developmental Journey: Pushpak’s landing signifies the culmination of a developmental journey that commenced with its maiden test in Sriharikota in 2016. Subsequent tests, including a successful drop from a Chinook helicopter in 2023, have progressively validated and enhanced the vehicle’s capabilities, paving the way for its recent triumphant landing at the Aeronautical Test Range in Challakere, Karnataka.

7. Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology: At the heart of ‘Pushpak’ lies the innovative Reusable Launch Vehicle – Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD), featuring a fuselage (body), double delta wings, twin vertical tails, and small thrusters for precise navigation. The successful reuse of flight hardware and systems from previous missions marks the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of RLV technology.

As India celebrates this historic achievement, ISRO’s Pushpak stands as a testament to the nation’s unwavering commitment to space exploration and technological innovation. With its successful landing, ‘Pushpak’ propels India into a new frontier of space exploration, laying the groundwork for future missions that will push the boundaries of human ingenuity and scientific discovery.