Article Posted on : - Apr 25, 2016

Reusable Launch Vehicle - Technology Demonstration Program (RLV-TD). Photo: ISRO.

BENGALURU (PTI): The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will flight test RLV-TD, a new generation reusable launch vehicle that can re-enter the atmosphere, next month end, the agency Chairman A S Kiran Kumar said on Saturday.

"We will flight test in next month end Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstration Program (RLV-TD), which can re-enter the atmosphere," Kumar said.

The vehicle is on its way to Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota after completing various tests, including the final acoustics test at the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), he said.

It has been configured to act as a flying test bed to evaluate various technologies, including hypersonic flight, autonomous landing, powered cruise flight and hypersonic flight using air-breathing propulsion.

"The vehicle will be taken to a height of over 70 km and released for its re-entry into the atmosphere," he said, delivering the annual Air Chief Marshal L M Khatre lecture, organised by HAL, Air Force Association and the Aeronautical Society of India, here.

The programme was approved in January 2012 and the launch was tentatively scheduled between July and August last year.

Talking about the second launch of LVM 3, Kumar said the space agency is working towards realisation of the vehicle.

"Realisation of this vehicle will help ISRO place heavier satellites into orbit," he said.

LVM 3 is conceived and designed to make ISRO fully self reliant in launching heavier communication satellites of INSAT-4 class, which weigh 4,500 to 5,000 kg.

The vehicle will also enhance India's capability to be a competitive player in the multi-million dollar commercial launch market.