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RLV-TD LEX-01, -02 and -03 (Landing Experiments)
by
sanman
on 25 Jan, 2023 21:33
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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.
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#1
by
zubenelgenubi
on 10 Feb, 2023 03:53
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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.
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#2
by
TheVarun
on 30 Mar, 2023 16:02
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#3
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 02 Apr, 2023 04:29
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#4
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 02 Apr, 2023 04:31
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#5
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 02 Apr, 2023 05:04
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#6
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 02 Apr, 2023 05:32
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Rollout video
https://twitter.com/newsiadn/status/1642357032375447552ISRO, 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
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#7
by
sanman
on 02 Apr, 2023 05:54
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Youtube version of the same:
Bit of difficulty braking, given that it drifted at the end?
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#8
by
sanman
on 02 Apr, 2023 11:01
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brief clip of the CH-47 Chinook carrying it
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#9
by
Vahe231991
on 03 Apr, 2023 01:08
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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.
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#10
by
sanman
on 03 Apr, 2023 01:35
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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.
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#11
by
sanman
on 09 Apr, 2023 03:39
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ISRO video which includes some additional footage with new camera angles:
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#12
by
sanman
on 09 Apr, 2023 07:18
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#13
by
john smith 19
on 09 Apr, 2023 08:21
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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.
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#14
by
Michael S
on 09 Apr, 2023 20:40
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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.
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#15
by
Robotbeat
on 09 Apr, 2023 21:40
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#16
by
Robotbeat
on 09 Apr, 2023 21:45
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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”
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#17
by
TheVarun
on 09 Apr, 2023 22:21
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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.
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#18
by
Comga
on 09 Apr, 2023 22:21
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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?
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#19
by
catdlr
on 10 Mar, 2024 16:16
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https://twitter.com/ISROSpaceflight/status/1766804752636273072The 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
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#20
by
catdlr
on 22 Mar, 2024 08:13
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https://twitter.com/ISROSpaceflight/status/1771092790820082028RLV LEX-02 Mission Accomplished! 🎯
Today at 7:10 am, an IAF Chinook dropped #Pushpak from an altitude of 4.5 km & 4 km dist. from runway.
Pushpak autonomously made turns to align itself as it glided down & successfully touched down on the runway! #ISRO
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#21
by
ethan829
on 22 Mar, 2024 10:24
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#22
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 22 Mar, 2024 15:11
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#23
by
sanman
on 22 Mar, 2024 17:01
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#24
by
catdlr
on 22 Mar, 2024 19:31
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#25
by
sanman
on 24 Mar, 2024 04:09
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#26
by
sanman
on 10 Jun, 2024 03:48
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LEX-03 flight coming up, according to this NOTAM:
A1649/24 - GPS RADIO SONDE BALLOON ASCENTS WILL TAKE PLACE FM
AERONAUTICAL TEST RANGE, VARAVINA KAVAL, CHITRADURGA,
AS PER THE FLW DETAILS.
LAUNCH SITE: AERONAUTICAL TEST RANGE, VARAVINA KAVAL,
CHITRADURGA, 142313N 0763337E.
BALLOON COLOUR: WHITE.
WT: 600 GRAMS.
BALLOON DIAMETER AFTER HELIUM GAS FILLING: 2M.
PAYLOAD WT: 125 GRAMS.
THREAD LEN: 15M.
BALLOON HGT: UP TO 30 KM.
BALLOON ASCENT RATE: 5MPS OR 18 KMH.
BALLOON ASCENT DUR: 01HR 20MIN.
BALLOON DESCENT RATE: 15 TO 20MPS.
BALLOON TRANSMITTING FREQ: 400MHZ TO 406MHZ.
BALLOON LAUNCH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 2330 0100 AND 0230.
LAST BALLOON TOUCHDOWN BEFORE 0430. GND - UNL, BTN 2330-0430, 28 MAY 23:30 2024
UNTIL 14 JUN 04:30 2024. CREATED: 28 MAY 11:05 2024
This 3rd and final landing experiment should happen in the next 4 days
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#27
by
sanman
on 10 Jun, 2024 03:53
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https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/isro-all-set-for-third-reusable-launch-vehicle-landing-experiment/article68266926.eceISRO All Set for Third Reusable Launch Vehicle Landing Experiment
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RLV-LEX missions involve taking an unmanned winged prototype, christened Pushpak, to a designated height and releasing it to land safely under varying conditions. In LEX-03, Pushpak will be carried to a height of 4.5 km and 500 metres to one side of the runway using an IAF Chinook helicopter and released. In LEX-02, the second mission, the altitude was the same but the lateral distance from the runway was 150 metres.
“It has to autonomously approach the runway, manoeuvre by making crossrange, downrange and altitude corrections to touch down on the runway,” he said. The LEX-03 mission will look at how the sink rate, or the rate of descent, can be cut down to reduce the impact load. It will also have on board a real-time kinematics (RTK) package. Yet another challenge before the upcoming mission is handling tailwind conditions.
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In the next stage of tests under the RLV-TD, the ISRO will use an unmanned Orbital Re-entry Vehicle (ORV). The vehicle used will be 1.6 times the size of ‘Pushpak’‘ used for LEX. It will be placed in a 400 km orbit around earth using a modified Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). This mission is expected in two years time. “Various experiments will be carried out in orbit. It will have, among other things, a thermal protection system for safe re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere and a retractable landing gear. The ISRO has started work on the ORV,” Dr. Unnikrishnan Nair said.
...
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#28
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 14 Jun, 2024 06:41
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https://twitter.com/chethan_dash/status/1801489495830773987#Update #space
Weather permitting, @isro will attempt the #RLV 3rd landing experiment (#RLVLEX3) as early as next week. And, “issues” with the chopper are delaying #IADT (integrated air-drop test) part of #Gaganyaan. RLV test in Challakere, Karnataka, IADT in Sriharikota. 1/n
Isro, which had completed #RLVLEX02 on March 22, is gearing up for LEX3, which will build upon LEX-02 aimed at improving the vehicle’s performance, guidance, and landing capabilities. 2/n
“We are waiting. The helicopter is there but weather is bad. It is expected to improve by 14th & if that happens we can conduct the experiment next week. This'll be the last landing experiment. Next, we’ll attempt orbital re-entry,” VSSC director S Unnikrishnan Nair told me. 3/n
Compared to the previous LEX, Nair said, #RLVLEX3 will be more challenging as the “intentional cross-range error of around 500m will be tested, compared to around 150m during LEX2. 4/n
“The velocity azimuth with respect to the runway centre has been adjusted to 2°, deviating from the previous mission's 0° alignment,” he said. 5/n
The mission will have another advancement: Implementation of advanced guidance algorithm that can simultaneously correct errors in both longitudinal & lateral planes. This decoupled algorithm, improvement over LEX02’s approach, will be utilised to enhance precision & control. 6/n
Also, to ensure a softer landing and reduce touchdown loads, the main landing gear (MLG) sink rate has been reduced to less than 1m/second, compared to the 1.5m/second limit during LEX2. 7/n
Additionally, a smoke marker system has been introduced to trace the descent trajectory, providing visual data for analysis and future improvements. Isro will also evaluate the performance of its real-time kinematics (RTK) system in a high-speed environment. 8/n
This system is crucial for future landing missions, as it can enhance the robustness of the hybrid navigation system, ensuring accurate and reliable guidance. 9/n
On the other hand, #IADT of a simulated crew module to validate the parachute system for #Gaganyaan, has been put on hold as need to revisit “some aspects” of the helicopter (Chinook) selected to carry out the test, arose. 10/n
During the test, crew module, weighing around 3tonne, will be dropped from the Chinook at an altitude of 3km, & a sequence of parachute deployments will occur before splashdown & recovery. Proposed IADT is part of several such tests to be part of Gaganyaan’s preparations. 11/n
I had reported in May that pre-mission trials had begun for this. “...During the pre-mission trials for the first IADT in Sriharikota, it was noticed that the helicopter may have ‘some issues’ that needed to be addressed. That is progressing now,” a source said. 12/n
IAF, whose helicopter Isro is using for the mission, is conducting an investigation “to understand what needs to be done”, the source said, adding that Isro was waiting for IAF to get back with its findings before moving ahead. 13/n
Isro plans to conduct 7 IADTs as per initial plans, with final number depending on test results. Alongside these, it's preparing for at least 1 uncrewed mission & the second test vehicle mission to test various abort conditions as part of #Gaganyaan this year. n/n
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#29
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 23 Jun, 2024 05:21
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https://twitter.com/isro/status/1804695916617863425Hat-trick for ISRO in RLV LEX! 🚀
🇮🇳ISRO achieved its third and final consecutive success in the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Landing EXperiment (LEX) on June 23, 2024.
"Pushpak" executed a precise horizontal landing, showcasing advanced autonomous capabilities under challenging conditions.
With the objectives of RLV LEX accomplished, ISRO embarks into RLV-ORV, the orbital reusable vehicle.
@IAF_MCC @DRDO_India @CSIRNALOFFICIAL
@IITKanpur @IndianOilcl @AAI_Official
RLV-LEX3 images
https://twitter.com/isro/status/1804709607576834363RLV-LEX3 Video
June 23, 2024
ISRO completes its RLV technology demonstrations through LEX trio
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has proudly achieved a third consecutive success in the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Landing EXperiment (LEX) on June 23, 2024. The third and final test in the series of LEX (03) was conducted at 07:10 IST at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga, Karnataka.
Following the success of the RV LEX-01 and LEX-02 missions, RLV LEX-03 re-demonstrated the autonomous landing capability of the RV under more challenging release conditions (cross range of 500 m against 150 m for LEX-02) and more severe wind conditions. The winged vehicle, named 'Pushpak', was released from an Indian Air Force Chinook Helicopter at an altitude of 4.5 km. From a release point 4.5 km away from the runway, Pushpak autonomously executed cross-range correction manoeuvres, approached the runway and performed a precise horizontal landing at the runway centreline. Due to this vehicle's low lift-to-drag ratio aerodynamic configuration, the landing velocity exceeded 320 kmph, compared to 260 kmph for a commercial aircraft and 280 kmph for a typical fighter aircraft. After touchdown, the vehicle velocity was reduced to nearly 100 kmph using its brake parachute, after which the landing gear brakes were employed for deceleration and stop on the runway. During this ground roll phase, Pushpak utilises its rudder and nose wheel steering system to autonomously maintain a stable and precise ground roll along the runway.
This mission simulated the approach and landing interface and high-speed landing conditions for a vehicle returning from space, reaffirming ISRO's expertise in acquiring the most critical technologies required for the development of a Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV). Through this mission, the advanced guidance algorithm catering to longitudinal and lateral plane error corrections, which is essential for the future Orbital Re-entry Mission has been validated. The RLV-LEX uses multisensor fusion including sensors like Inertial sensor, Radar altimeter, Flush air data system, Pseudolite system and NavIC. Notably, the RLV-LEX-03 mission reused the winged body and flight systems as such without any modification, from the LEX-02 mission, demonstrating the robustness of ISRO's capability of design to reuse flight systems for multiple missions.
This mission simulates the approach & landing interface and high-speed landing conditions for a vehicle returning from space, which will reaffirm ISRO's expertise in acquiring the most critical technologies required for the development of a Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV).
The mission, led by VSSC, was a collaborative effort involving multiple ISRO centres SAC, ISTRAC, SDSC-SHAR, with significant support from the Indian Air Force (IAF), Aeronautical Development
Certification (CEMILAC), National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, Indian aerospace industrial partners, Indian Oil Corporation of India and Airport Authority of
Director of VSSC, emphasised that this consistent success boosts ISRO's confidence in the critical technologies essential for future orbital re-entry missions.
Shri. J Muthupandian is the Mission Director and Shri. B Karthik is the Vehicle Director for this successful mission.
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#30
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 23 Jun, 2024 05:43
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https://twitter.com/chethan_dash/status/1804698007364858166#JUSTIN #Space #Update
@isro, which on March 22 did the 2nd landing experiment of reusable launch vehicle (#RLV) — “#RLVLEX02” — today conducted the 3rd & last landing test (#RLVLEX03), paving the way for an orbital re-entry test. 1/n
Pic: Isro (from lex2). New pics awaited
The test was conducted at 7.10am at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) at Challakere in Chitradurga district, some 220km from Bengaluru. 2/n
The RLV project is an important programme that will demonstrate one of the technologies needed to meet India’s ambitions of sustained human presence in space. 3/n
The RLV-LEX-03, built upon RLV-LEX-02, was aimed at improving the vehicle’s performance, guidance, and landing capabilities. I’d reported last week that, weather permitting, Isro would attempt to achieve this milestone in the development of RLV technology this week. 4/n
VSSC director S Unnikrishnan Nair had told me that compared to LEX02, LEX3 will be more challenging as the “intentional cross-range error of around 500m will be tested, compared to around 150m during LEX02. 5/n
On Sunday, Isro said: “LEX03 re-demonstrated the autonomous landing capability of the RLV under more challenging release conditions (cross range of 500m) & more severe wind conditions. RLV, named 'Pushpak, was released from an IAF Chinook helicopter at an altitude of 4.5km.” 6/n
From a release point, the vehicle autonomously executed cross-range correction manoeuvres, approached the runway and performed a precise horizontal landing at the runway centreline. 7/n
“Due to its low lift-to-drag ratio aerodynamic configuration, the landing velocity exceeded 320kmph, compared to 260kmph for a commercial aircraft and 280 kmph for a typical fighter aircraft.,” Isro said. 8/n
After touchdown, the vehicle velocity was reduced to nearly 100kmph using its brake parachute, after which the landing gear brakes were employed for deceleration and stop on the runway. 9/n
“During this ground roll phase, the vehicle utilised its rudder and nose wheel steering system to autonomously maintain a stable and precise ground roll along the runway, Isro said. 10/n
It added that the mission simulated the approach and landing interface and high-speed landing conditions for a vehicle returning from space,” Isro said. 11/n
The mission had another advancement: Implementation of an advanced guidance algorithm that can simultaneously correct errors in both the longitudinal and lateral planes — essential for the future orbital re-entry mission. 12/n
This decoupled algorithm, an improvement over LEX-02’s approach, will be utilised to enhance the reusable launch vehicle’s precision and control. 13/n
“The RLV-LEX uses multisensor fusion including sensors like inertial sensor, radar altimeter, flush air data system, pseudolite system and NaviC… 14/n
…Notably, the mission reused the winged body and flight systems as such without any modification, from the LEX-02 mission, demonstrating the robustness of Isro’s capability of design to reuse flight systems for multiple missions,” Isro said. 15/n
This mission simulated the approach & landing interface and high-speed landing conditions for a vehicle returning from space, which will reaffirm Isro’s expertise in acquiring the most critical technologies required for the development of an RLV. n/n
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#31
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 23 Jun, 2024 06:07
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#32
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 26 Jun, 2024 13:35
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https://twitter.com/chethan_dash/status/1805918663226048520#Space #Update
With 3rd & final landing experiment having been completed on June 23, #RLV will go through several modifications to qualify for the planned Orbital Re-entry Test/Flight. 1/n
Read on for details. Also Watch: shorturl.at/2Fgjr
The orbital re-entry demonstration will involve vertical launching of #RLV into space and bringing it back safely to land on a runway. Isro may need to carry out multiple orbital re-entry tests and RLV will be 6 times the size of the #RLVTD. 2/n
The GSLV that will carry the scaled-up RLV, expected to weigh around 3.5 tonne to 4 tonne, to space will forego its cryogenic upper stage (CUS), which will be replaced by a rejigged version of the PS4 — the last stage of #PSLV. 3/n
S Unnikrishnan Nair, director, VSSC told me: “Although overall size will increase, increase in mass won’t increase six times. Therefore, given the weight of the vehicle, we wouldn’t need the energy the GSLV can produce with the cryo stage, that’s why we are using the PS4.” 4/n
The scaled-up RLV would also have enhanced thermal protection, which is crucial to prevent burning up of the vehicle during the re-entry phase. “Take off and landing are very critical for any aircraft… 5/n
…For us, take off will be vertical. For landing to be smooth, we’ll have to work on various systems that enable re-entry, approaching runway, touching correct place & aligning with centre line, deployment of parachutes etc. Software will have to be written too,” Nair said. 6/n
During re-entry, the belly of the vehicle needs to be shown to increase the drag and reduce the speed — that is, energy manoeuvring from orbit to touchdown. 7/n
Aside from modifications of thermal protection systems, enhanced software and NGC (navigation, guidance and control) and other sub-systems, the vehicle will need a different landing gear. 8/n
For the prototype (RLV-TD), Isro had used a fixed landing gear supplied by Bengaluru-based Timetooth Technologies, which will have to be replaced by a deployable one. 9/n
And, Timetooth, which has supplied around five fixed landing gear systems for the programme so far, is optimistic of bagging the new order as well. 10/n
The firm’s co-founder, Girish Mudgal, said: “We’re very optimistic. We’ve been working on a retractable version of the landing gear… 11/n
…We don’t know Isro’s exact plans for the orbital re-entry version, but we’ve built an extreme amount of trust and reputation for Isro to see us as a reliable partner for this programme.” 12/n
Other than Isro, Timetooth has supplied landing gears to DRDO as well. “...As far as we’re aware, we are India’s only company which has worked on the long endurance or large drones landing systems… 13/n
…We supplied our system for DRDO’s Rustom (now Tapas) drone, which had its maiden flight in 2016. And after that, there have been about over 200 flights,” Mudgal said. 14/n
Besides, Isro will also need to look for a larger runway to accommodate the landing of the orbital re-entry vehicle. And initially, it will have to rely on the Indian Air Force (IAF) to find a suitable runway. 15/n
“The landing site will have to be decided as it cannot happen in Chitradurga. We need a location that allows us to fly mostly over sea & requires minimal flying over land and populated areas. Flight over landmass must be minimal. We’ll have to discuss it with IAF,” Nair said. n/n