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.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is arriving in Kashmir this evening. On Friday (June 21), on Interna
Bill Gates' AI Summit speech cancelled: Ankur Vora to address, Gates Foundation announces
Important information has emerged regarding Bill Gates' participation in the AI Summit. The
Before the finale, who can tell better than their family about which contestant is playing a toug
The weather in North India may once again change. According to the Indian Meteorological Departme
Central Government: Government companies go to bankruptcy court to close loss-making units
The government has said that government companies should go to bankruptcy court to wind up loss-m
Both the factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will hold a show of strength today. A w
Sangakkara to retire after India Test series in August
Sydney, March 8 (IANS) Ace batsman Kumar Sangakkara on Sunday said he will retire from Test cri
Public sector undertakings including Oil India, GAIL, and Power Grid Corporation have received hu
Bajaj Finance Shares Surge Above ₹1,100; Brokerages Turn Bullish, Raise Target Prices
Shares of Bajaj Finance, India's largest non-banking financial company (NBFC), rallied up to 6% a
Ukrainian officials allege that Russia Thursday fired more than 120 missiles at other cities incl
