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.
The first Test between India and South Africa is being played in Centurion. On the second day, So
IND vs PAK U19: India got its first defeat in Under-19 Asia Cup, Pakistan defeated by eight wickets
Pakistan has defeated India by eight wickets in the Under-19 Asia Cup. Batting first at the ICC A
India got good news from which now this share of Tata Group will run up to ₹ 3,000, Expert Bullish
There is enthusiasm in the Indian gems and jewellery sector after the signing of the India-UAE tr
Retail inflation may have reached an 11-month low of 5.88 percent in Monday's figures, but prices
The second half of IPL 2023 has started. Half of the matches of this phase have been played. The
While the people of the country are worried about the high prices of petrol and diesel, on the ot
After America, now preparations are underway for deportation from the UK as well. The UK's Labour
The fifth and final match of the five-match Test series between India and Australia is being play
In the Tillu Tajpuria murder case, the prison administration has suspended eight prison personnel
Syria Earthquake: The devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria has caused havoc. Till now more
