RLV-TD LEX-01, -02 and -03 (Landing Experiments)

[sanman]

RLV LEX-01, 02, and 03 demonstrations

See also Indian Reusable Launch Vehicle Program.


ISRO Chairman says that RLV-TD Landing Experiment (LEX) demo this week:

https://theprint.in/science/a-rocket-launcher-you-can-recycle-isro-chief-says-rlv-landing-demo-this-week/1332727/

Bhopal: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to carry out the first landing demonstration of its Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Saturday, its chairperson S. Somanath has said.

Somanath, who was speaking to ThePrint on the sidelines of the 8th India International Science Festival in Bhopal, said the demonstration will continue as planned provided climate and weather conditions are suitable.

An RLV is a launch vehicle that is designed to return to the Earth substantially intact and could, therefore, be reused.

ISRO’s Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstration (RLV-TD) Programme is a series of technology demonstration missions, seen as the first step towards realising a two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) fully reusable vehicle. A TSTO, or a two-stage rocket, is a spacecraft in which two distinct stages provide propulsion consecutively in order to achieve orbital velocity.

This is the first time ISRO is conducting a landing demonstration for its RLV-TD Programme.

Other sources give Saturday, January 28 as the best weather date.

[zubenelgenubi]

From the post launch speeches after the successful launch of SSLV D2:

Preparing GSLV Mk.III for 36 OneWeb satellites in middle of March. Commencing launch campaign immediately after today's launch for PSLV C55 for end of March on commercial mission. Using new facility. Preparing for landing demonstration of RLV in a few days time.

For Gaganyan have abort and recovery mission today, another abort and recovery mission and trying for uncrewed mission before end of year.

GSLV for NAVIC series satellite prior to NISAR, scheduled for end of this year. More PSLV missions as well.

[TheVarun]

Very possible RLV test on Sunday( April 2nd)

https://twitter.com/Arunraj2696/status/1641341237046444035?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1641341237046444035%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/isro/status/1642353304339636225

India 🇮🇳 achieved it!

ISRO, joined by @DRDO_India @IAF_MCC, successfully conducted the Reusable Launch Vehicle Autonomous Landing Mission (RLV LEX)

at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR), Chitradurga, Karnataka in the early hours on April 2, 2023.

Edit to add:

https://twitter.com/isro/status/1642377704782843905

[FutureSpaceTourist]

#ISRO has conducted a drop test of their Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) flying test bed, culminating in a successful landing on an airstrip in Karnataka following a release at 4.5 km altitude.

This follows on from a successful hypersonic reentry test (HEX) performed in 2016.

https://twitter.com/tylerg1998/status/1642378957386313729

#ISRO is planning two more large-scale trials for their RLV-TD, including an orbital reentry test (REX) and a scramjet propulsion experiment (SPEX).

The timeline for these upcoming tests is to be determined.

Read more about RLV-TD here:

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/05/india-launch-reusable-launch-vehicle-demonstrator-mission/

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/isro/status/1642392184333946882

RLV's autonomous approach and landing

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Rollout video

https://twitter.com/newsiadn/status/1642357032375447552

ISRO, DRDO, IAF Jointly Conducted RLV Test

@isro @DRDO_India and @IAF_MCC conducted the Reusable Launch Vehicle Autonomous Landing Mission (RLV LEX) successfully from Aeronautical Test Range, Chitradurga, Karnataka this morning.

Date : April 2, 2023

[sanman]

Youtube version of the same:



Bit of difficulty braking, given that it drifted at the end?

[sanman]

brief clip of the CH-47 Chinook carrying it

[Vahe231991]

The RLV-TD LEX reminds me of tests of the X-40 Space Maneuver Vehicle that tested the aerodynamics and navigation systems of the X-37. If the REX flights is successful, it will make India the fourth country to orbit and test a reusable spaceplane and the first country in the Global South to fly an orbital spaceplane.

[sanman]

So I wonder what caused the swerving at the end? My speculation is that was caused by hard braking on the nosewheel, which may have generated shimmying. While the swerving did coincide with the drogue chute release, I assume that was just a coincidence of timing, since the drogue chute release would have been immediately followed by the nosewheel braking, which is likely to have caused the swerving.

[sanman]

ISRO video which includes some additional footage with new camera angles:

[sanman]

[john smith 19]

The RLV-TD LEX reminds me of tests of the X-40 Space Maneuver Vehicle that tested the aerodynamics and navigation systems of the X-37. If the REX flights is successful, it will make India the fourth country to orbit and test a reusable spaceplane and the first country in the Global South to fly an orbital spaceplane.

Yup, that's exactly where they are. Of course it could be the vehicle is actually further along and all then need do now is refurb it and stick it in the nose cone of their ELV to fly it.

If that is the case then you have a slow-to-design-n-build-but-quick-to-execute programme.

Otherwise they will use the data to build a new vehicle which will be the actual spaceplane.

[Michael S]

it will make India the fourth country to orbit and test a reusable spaceplane and the first country in the Global South to fly an orbital spaceplane.

(Emphasis mine)
could you clarify what you mean by this? I'm sure I should know what you mean, but by my reckoning India is in the Northern Hemisphere.

[Robotbeat]

The RLV-TD LEX reminds me of tests of the X-40 Space Maneuver Vehicle that tested the aerodynamics and navigation systems of the X-37. If the REX flights is successful, it will make India the fourth country to orbit and test a reusable spaceplane and the first country in the Global South to fly an orbital spaceplane.

Nope, China flew their spaceplane in July 2021. https://spacenews.com/china-makes-progress-in-reusability-with-secretive-second-flight-of-suborbital-spaceplane/

[Robotbeat]

it will make India the fourth country to orbit and test a reusable spaceplane and the first country in the Global South to fly an orbital spaceplane.

(Emphasis mine)
could you clarify what you mean by this? I'm sure I should know what you mean, but by my reckoning India is in the Northern Hemisphere.

It’s basically just a more politically correct way of saying “developing country.” Which is increasingly weird to apply to China but technically people still do. It is kind of a silly phrase to be honest. Kazakhstan, for instance, is considered “global north”

[TheVarun]

The Indian RLV was first tested in May, 2016, launched from a rocket, and landed in water( as intended).

Yes " South" refers to developing countries. Not sure China qualifies. It's essentially India, Africa, South East Asia and South America.

[Comga]

it will make India the fourth country to orbit and test a reusable spaceplane and the first country in the Global South to fly an orbital spaceplane.

(Emphasis mine)
could you clarify what you mean by this? I'm sure I should know what you mean, but by my reckoning India is in the Northern Hemisphere.

The statement is of the form
(Entity) is the first (descriptor with distinctions) to achieve (some goal)

An issue is how exquisitely fine or awkward a distinction one has to make to make it be a “first”.

Do we have any information on how many of the features of an orbital and reentry vehicle the RLV-TD has beyond shape and aerodynamic controls?

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/ISROSpaceflight/status/1766804752636273072

The second landing experiment (LEX-02) of ISRO's Pushpak (TD) vehicle, formerly known as RLV-TD, is planned to take place before 16th March!! 🛩

The previous landing experiment - LEX-01, was conducted in April 2023. #ISRO

Picture of the vehicle to be used on LEX-02