SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to conduct its second Reusable Launch Vehicle Autonomous Landing (RLV-LEX) mission this month, before March 16th, according to Dr. V Narayanan, Director of LPSC-ISRO.
This mission builds upon the success of the inaugural RLV-LEX mission conducted in April 2023 at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga, Karnataka.
During the first mission, the RLV, carried to an altitude of 4.5 km by an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter, performed a series of critical maneuvers before achieving a successful autonomous landing. This mission marked a significant milestone for ISRO, demonstrating its capability to autonomously land a space vehicle under conditions simulating a high-speed, unmanned re-entry from space.
The upcoming mission will see ISRO further refine its reusable launch vehicle technology. The RLV-LEX program is a crucial step towards developing a cost-effective and sustainable launch system.