
New Delhi, March 4 (IANS) India will conduct a test flight of a reusable launch vehicle by the second quarter of this year to reduce the cost of satellite launches, union minister Jitendra Singh said on Wednesday.
Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, the minister of state for department of space said the rocket's 1.5-tonne technology demonstrator would be lofted to a height of 70 km using solid booster to attain five times the speed of sound.
"The reusable launch vehicle's technology demonstrator (RLV-TD) will descend by gliding and splashing down into the sea. The test flight will demonstrate the hypersonic aerodynamics characteristics, avionics system, thermal protection system, control system and mission management," Singh told the lawmakers.
The state-run Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has taken steps to develop the next generation launch vehicle GSLV MkIII for placing four-tonne class communication satellites into geo-synchronous transfer orbit and bring down the cost of satellite launches.
"Developing reusable rockets is a challenge, as it involves many cutting-edge technologies. The magnitude of cost reduction depends on the development and realisation of fully reusable launch vehicle and its degree of reusability," Singh added.
The space agency had conducted the maiden test flight of GSLV MkIII on December 18, 2014 with a crew module from its spaceport at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, about 90 km northeast of Chennai.
Five minutes after the launch, the heavy rocket ejected the 3.7-tonne crew module at a height of 126 km for its re-entry into the earth's atmosphere and descent in the Bay of Bengal near Andaman and Nicobar islands.
Not a single Muslim among 101 accused arrested: Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Palghar lynching case
Over a hundred people have been arrested in connection with the brutal killing of two sadhus and
The five-day festival of Deepotsav is starting from Dhanteras. This time Dhanteras will start at
Western countries' ban on Russia, how will it be able to repay the debt?
Following the attack on Ukraine and sanctions from Western countries, Russia may be in a position
India has also expressed concern over reports of the Taliban in Afghanistan stopping the admissio
Google Pixel 6a: Phone Price and Specifications Revealed! Will launch this month
Google Pixel 6a Price: Google's new phone Google Pixel 6a is expected to be launched in India by
Modi urged to look into pension issues
New Delhi, Feb 27 (IANS) Social groups working for the elderly and other vulnerable people in t
Bengal hospitals refusing swine flu patients: NGO tells Mamata
Kolkata, Feb 28 (IANS) NGO People for Better Treatment (PBT) has termed as "unlawful" the refus
Because of the extra rush of passengers from East Central Rail, it has been decided to run a spec
After the three-match ODI series, India and New Zealand are now set to play a five-match T20I ser
The 41st match of IPL 2022 between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders is to be played at th