New Delhi [India], Indian Air Force congratulated the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for achieving another success in the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) (LEX) landing experiment. The third and final test of the LEX series (03) was conducted at 07:10 IST at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga, Karnataka.
Following the success of the RLV LEX-01 and LEX-02 missions, the RLV LEX-03 again demonstrated the autonomous landing capability of the RLV in more challenging launch conditions (500 m transverse range vs. 150 m for the LEX-03). 02) and more. severe wind conditions. The winged vehicle, named "Pushpak", was launched from an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter at an altitude of 4.5 km.
From a launch point 4.5 km from the runway, Pushpak autonomously executed cross-range correction maneuvers, approached the runway, and performed a precise horizontal landing on the runway centerline.
Due to the low lift-to-drag ratio aerodynamic configuration of this vehicle, the landing speed exceeded 320 kmph, compared to 260 kmph for a commercial airliner and 280 kmph for a typical fighter aircraft. After landing, the vehicle's speed was reduced to almost 100 kmph using its brake parachute, after which the landing gear brakes were employed to decelerate and stop on the runway. During this ground roll phase, Pushpak uses its rudder and nosewheel steering system to autonomously maintain a stable and precise ground roll along the runway.
This mission simulated the approach-landing interface and high-speed landing conditions for a vehicle returning from space, reaffirming ISRO's expertise in acquiring the most critical technologies required for the development of an RLV. Through this mission, the advanced guidance algorithm that addresses error corrections in the longitudinal and lateral planes, essential for the future Orbital Reentry Mission, has been validated.
In particular, the RLV-LEX uses multi-sensor fusion, including sensors such as an inertial sensor, a radar altimeter, an air data system, a pseudolite system, and NavIC. Notably, the RLV-LEX-03 mission reused the winged body and flight systems as such without any modification, from the LEX-02 mission, demonstrating the strength of ISRO's ability to design and reuse flight systems for multiple missions.
The mission, led by VSSC, was a collaborative effort involving multiple ISRO centers (SAC, ISTRAC, SDSC-SHAR), with major support from the Indian Air Force (IAF), Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE ), the Air Delivery Research and Development Establishment. (ADRDE), Regional Center for Military Airworthiness (RCMA) under the Center for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, Indian Aerospace Industrial Partners, Indian Oil Corporation of India and Airports Authority of India.
S Somanath, ISRO Chairman/Secretary, Department of Space, congratulated the team for their efforts in maintaining the streak of success in such complex missions. Dr S Unnikrishnan Nair, Director, VSSC, emphasized that this continued success increases ISRO's confidence in critical technologies essential for future orbital reentry missions.
Following the success of the RLV LEX-01 and LEX-02 missions, the RLV LEX-03 again demonstrated the autonomous landing capability of the RLV in more challenging launch conditions (500 m transverse range vs. 150 m for the LEX-03). 02) and more. severe wind conditions. The winged vehicle, named "Pushpak", was launched from an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter at an altitude of 4.5 km.
From a launch point 4.5 km from the runway, Pushpak autonomously executed cross-range correction maneuvers, approached the runway, and performed a precise horizontal landing on the runway centerline.
Due to the low lift-to-drag ratio aerodynamic configuration of this vehicle, the landing speed exceeded 320 kmph, compared to 260 kmph for a commercial airliner and 280 kmph for a typical fighter aircraft. After landing, the vehicle's speed was reduced to almost 100 kmph using its brake parachute, after which the landing gear brakes were employed to decelerate and stop on the runway. During this ground roll phase, Pushpak uses its rudder and nosewheel steering system to autonomously maintain a stable and precise ground roll along the runway.
This mission simulated the approach-landing interface and high-speed landing conditions for a vehicle returning from space, reaffirming ISRO's expertise in acquiring the most critical technologies required for the development of an RLV. Through this mission, the advanced guidance algorithm that addresses error corrections in the longitudinal and lateral planes, essential for the future Orbital Reentry Mission, has been validated.
In particular, the RLV-LEX uses multi-sensor fusion, including sensors such as an inertial sensor, a radar altimeter, an air data system, a pseudolite system, and NavIC. Notably, the RLV-LEX-03 mission reused the winged body and flight systems as such without any modification, from the LEX-02 mission, demonstrating the strength of ISRO's ability to design and reuse flight systems for multiple missions.
The mission, led by VSSC, was a collaborative effort involving multiple ISRO centers (SAC, ISTRAC, SDSC-SHAR), with major support from the Indian Air Force (IAF), Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE ), the Air Delivery Research and Development Establishment. (ADRDE), Regional Center for Military Airworthiness (RCMA) under the Center for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, Indian Aerospace Industrial Partners, Indian Oil Corporation of India and Airports Authority of India.
S Somanath, ISRO Chairman/Secretary, Department of Space, congratulated the team for their efforts in maintaining the streak of success in such complex missions. Dr S Unnikrishnan Nair, Director, VSSC, emphasized that this continued success increases ISRO's confidence in critical technologies essential for future orbital reentry missions.
