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.
Riots broke out in Mexico following the arrest of Ovidio Guzmán-López, the son of d
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday ordered an internal Cabinet Office inquiry into al
BJP, which has been lagging in Tughlakabad assembly seat for the last two times, is in the fray w
Cybercrime incidents are rising globally, with hackers increasingly targeting email accounts, soc
Rail budget: Parties react on expected lines in Odisha
Bhubaneswar, Feb 26 (IANS) Political parties in Odisha reacted on expected lines Thursday after
Girls in Saudi Arabia will no longer be able to wear the abaya in the examination hall. Saudi Ara
Gudi Padwa 2023 Date: Gudi Padwa today, know the auspicious time and religious significance
Gudi Padwa 2023: Many types of religious festivals and festivals are celebrated in Hinduism. One
Agneepath scheme was announced on 14th June. As soon as it was announced, this scheme came under
Today, the biggest connection is being made in the drug connection of Bollywood which surfaced in
The weather patterns in the country are changing rapidly. On one hand, when it is getting cold at
