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.
Dhoni knows how to win World Cups: Vaughan
Sydney, March 24 (IANS) Former England captain Michael Vaughan on Tuesday said that though both
Due to uncontrolled corona infection in Unlock-2 in Chhattisgarh, once again reached the state of
BSF has joined the fleet of three new floating border out-post ships, ready in the country
On one hand, on Wednesday, where the 73rd Republic Day was celebrated with great pomp in the coun
LIC OFS: Government to Sell LIC Stake at 10% Discount, Shares Fall 6%; Check OFS Price and Details
The Government of India is set to sell up to a 6.5% stake in Life Insurance Corporation of India
Riyaz Naikoo was the face of Hizbul Mujahideen after Burhan Wani
Riyaz Naikoo, the top terrorist of Hizbul Mujahideen killed today, was the face of Hizbul Mujahid
Team India's star batsman Virat Kohli played a brilliant innings of 93 runs against New Zealand i
Even after increasing the age limit by the government in the Agneepath scheme made for recruitmen
A Virginia court on Wednesday ruled on the ongoing defamation case against Hollywood actor Johnny
The Indian women's cricket team created history in Hangzhou on Monday. Harmanpreet Kaur-led India
The last Test of the ongoing five-match Test series between India and England (Ind vs Eng 5th Tes
