
A sleek, SUV-sized winged rocket is poised for its experimental flight at a defense airfield in Karnataka, scheduled to take off tomorrow at 7 am from the Chalakere Runway.
Dubbed “Pushpak,” the Re-usable Launch Vehicle (RLV) marks India’s ambitious foray into the realm of reusable rockets. This experimental mission represents the third flight of Pushpak, primarily focused on testing its robotic landing capabilities under more intricate conditions.
Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), S Somanath, lauded Pushpak as India’s bold endeavor to democratize access to space. He highlighted its futuristic design, emphasizing the reusability of the upper stage housing expensive electronics, a feature intended to reduce space debris and potentially enable satellite refueling or retrieval.
Having been in development for a decade, the RLV completed its maiden flight from Sriharikota in 2016, successfully landing on a virtual runway in the Bay of Bengal, albeit unrecovered as planned. A subsequent test on April 2, 2023, at the Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range showcased the RLV-LEX’s prowess, with an autonomous landing executed flawlessly following its aerial deployment by an Indian Air Force Chinook Helicopter.
Explaining the choice of name, Somanath drew from Indian mythology, referencing the “Pushpak Viman” from the Ramayan, associated with the God of Wealth, Kuber, aligning with India’s aspirations for its 21st-century rocket. Sunil P, Program Director at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center, echoed this sentiment, envisioning Pushpak as the future of cost-effective space access.
India’s pursuit of a space shuttle-like vehicle began over 15 years ago, with a dedicated team of engineers and scientists embarking on the RLV project a decade ago. The 6.5-meter aeroplane-like spacecraft, weighing 1.75 tons, is set to be transported by an IAF helicopter and will utilize small thrusters during descent to ensure precise landing.
With a government investment exceeding Rs 100 crore, the project represents a significant milestone as India progresses towards establishing its own space station, the Bhartiya Antariksha Station, slated for completion by 2035.