RLV-TD
The RLV-TD (Reusable Launch Vehicle — Technology Demonstration Program) is a research program by India's space agency ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) to develop a space glider .
The first launch of a reduced model of the space shuttle was made on 23 May 2016 01:30 UTC from the ramp No. 1. Satish Dhawan Space Center with a HS9 - solid rocket . At a height of 56 kilometers it was separated from the rocket and reached a total altitude of about 65 km. Then it started to fall back and flew at five times the speed of sound in the direction of the Bay of Bengal . All of this took a total of 770 seconds. The test model was about 6.5 m long and weighed 1,500 and 1,700 kilograms. The test flight, known as HEX (-01) for Hypersonic Flight Experiment, marks the beginning of a series of flight experiments with RLV-TD demonstrators. The missions LEX (a landing experiment), REX (a return flight experiment) and SPEX (an experiment powered by a scramjet ) are also planned. The flight is part of a project that will end with a reusable space glider that can cost-effectively transport satellites into space. It should be ready for use in around 10 to 15 years and reduce the cost of a satellite launch to a tenth of the current cost in order to be able to keep up with competitors like SpaceX in this price segment.
Web links
- ISRO: Reusable Launch Vehicle - Technology Demonstration Program (RLV-TD)
- NASASpaceFlight.com: India successfully launches Reusable Launch Vehicle demonstrator mission
Individual evidence
- ↑ isro.gov.in: India's Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD), Successfully Flight Tested - ISRO , accessed on May 25, 2016
- ↑ raumfahrer.net: ISRO tests the technology demonstrator RLV-TD , accessed on May 25, 2016
- ↑ heise.de: India is testing a model of its own “Space Shuttle” , accessed on May 25, 2016