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.
US scientist questions green nod to Indian hydel projects
Kolkata, March 12 (IANS) A top American researcher has qu
After the report of Hindenburg Research, relief news has come for the creditors (lenders) from Ad
Amid growing tension in the world, the US Navy has raised the concern of western countries by say
Indian Test team captain Shubman Gill has termed the strategy of deliberately wasting time by Eng
I am a Delhi resident, will prove that corona will be treated only, know what will show ID proof
New Delhi: After CM Arvind Kejriwal announced the treatment of only Delhi residents in Delhi, the
Aukus: France got tough and called back its ambassadors from America and Australia
France has announced that it is recalling its ambassadors to the US and Australia to hold discuss
Despite Maharashtra's night curfew, weekend lockdown, and now mini lockdown, Corona is not taking
BJP leader and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has arrived in Himachal Pradesh today
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya will be fit before the semi-finals. India will face England in L
Chennai Test: Team India lost due to 5 reasons
After a stellar performance on the Australian grounds, the Indian team has faced defeat in the fi
