#ISRO test-launches its first-ever ‘space shuttle’
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully test-launched the first ‘Made in India’ space shuttle — called the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV-TD) — early on Monday morning from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. Here are 10 things to know about the RLV-TD:
This is the first time ISRO launched a winged flight vehicle, which after its launch, came back and landed on a virtual runway in the Bay of Bengal, some 500 kilometres from the coast. The RLV-TD is a scaled-down model of a reusable launch vehicle being developed by ISRO.
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The RLV-TD is described as “a very preliminary step” in the development of a reusable rocket, whose final version is expected to take in 10 to 15 years.
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The RLV-TD is described as “a very preliminary step” in the development of a reusable rocket, the final version of which is expected to take shape in 10 to 15 years.
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The 6.5 metre long ‘aeroplane’-like structure weighing 1.75 tons was sent into into the atmosphere on a special rocket booster.
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The test-launch is considered a significant step in India’s space endeavour. It’s especially important, because in 2011, the US’s NASA abandoned its resuable space shuttle project.
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Billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Amazon owner Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin have already successfully undertaken their own test launches. SpaceX tested its powerful Falcon 9 rocket in December while Blue Origin’s New Shepard successfully completed a third launch and vertical landing in April this year.
