On Friday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone by successfully conducting the landing mission of its Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) known as ‘Pushpak’.
This marked the third landing mission of the RLV, bearing the distinguished name inspired by the legendary spaceship from the Ramayan epic. Previous missions were accomplished in 2016 and April of last year, showcasing ISRO’s steady progress in this domain.
The launch vehicle was transported to an altitude of approximately 4.5 km by an Indian Air Force helicopter before being released after meeting the predetermined pillbox parameters.
ISRO stated that this mission is part of its ongoing endeavor to develop essential technologies for a fully reusable launch vehicle, thereby facilitating low-cost access to space.
S Somanath, the chairperson of ISRO, emphasized the significance of the Pushpak launch vehicle, describing it as India’s ambitious initiative to make space access more economical. He highlighted its innovative design, particularly the reusability of the upper stage, which houses costly electronics. This reusability aims to bring back the upper stage safely to Earth, potentially enabling functions such as satellite refueling and satellite retrieval for refurbishment. Furthermore, the initiative aligns with India’s commitment to minimizing space debris, with Pushpak representing a step forward in this direction.
In summary, ISRO’s successful landing experiment of the RLV vehicle ‘Pushpak’ represents a significant leap forward in India’s space exploration endeavors. Through innovative technology and strategic vision, ISRO continues to demonstrate its prowess on the global stage, setting new benchmarks and inspiring advancements in space exploration.
