Watch: Successful launch of 21st Century Pushpak ‘Viman’ in India

The rocket was dropped from an Air Force helicopter as part of an experimental flight.

New Delhi:

Pushpak, an SUV-sized winged rocket dubbed the ‘Swadeshi Space Shuttle’, successfully landed on a runway in Karnataka this morning, marking the country’s foray into reusable rockets Important milestone.

The rocket was dropped from an Air Force helicopter as part of the test. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) chief S Somanath said the results were “excellent and precise”.

RLV-LEX-02:
Approach and landing. pic.twitter.com/hI9k86KiBv

— Indian Space Research Organization (@isro) March 22, 2024

RLV-LEX-02 experiment:
🇮🇳ISRO succeeds again! 🎯

Pushpak (RLV-TD) is a winged aircraft that automatically and accurately lands on a runway after being released from an abnormal position.

🚁@IAF_MCCpic.twitter.com/IHNoSOUdRx

— Indian Space Research Organization (@isro) March 22, 2024

“ISRO has succeeded again! Pushpak (RLV-TD), a winged vehicle, automatically and accurately landed on the runway after being released from an abnormal position,” the space agency said.

ISRO stated that the mission successfully simulated the approach and high-speed landing of the RLV returning from space.

“The winged aircraft named Pushpak was lifted off by a Chinook helicopter of the Indian Air Force and released from an altitude of 4.5 kilometers. After being released 4 kilometers from the runway, Pushpak approached the runway autonomously and made lateral corrections. It landed precisely at The aircraft overran the runway and came to a stop using braking parachutes, landing gear brakes and nose wheel steering,” the company said in a statement.

The experiment was Pushpak’s third flight and was part of a test of its robot’s ability to land in more complex environments. Pushpak is expected to be many years away from being operational

“The Pushpak launch vehicle is India’s bold attempt to make access to space more affordable,” Somanath had earlier said.

Pushpak fell from an Air Force helicopter as part of the test.

“This is India’s futuristic reusable launch vehicle in which the most expensive part, the upper stage, which contains all the expensive electronic equipment, can be reused by bringing it back safely to Earth. Later, it can even be used for Refueling satellites in orbit “or recovering satellites from orbit for refurbishment. India seeks to minimize space debris and Pushpak is a step towards this goal,” he had said.

RVL first flew in 2016 and successfully landed on a virtual runway in the Bay of Bengal. According to the plan, it sank into the sea and was never recovered. A second test was successfully conducted in 2023, when a Chinook helicopter dropped a winged rocket from the sky for an autonomous landing.

Mr. Somnath said the rocket was named after the “Pushpak Viman” mentioned in the Ramayana, which was the vehicle of the Lord of Fortune Khubal.

A dedicated team of engineers and scientists began building the shuttle 10 years ago. The aircraft-like vehicle is 6.5 meters long and weighs 1.75 tons. During descent, small thrusters help the craft navigate to the exact location where it is intended to land. The government has invested over Rs 100 crore in the project.