In a recent success for India’s space program, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and its partners have successfully completed a precise landing experiment for a Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka. This test was the second of five tests that are part of ISRO’s efforts to develop RLVs, which are space planes that can travel to low earth orbits to deliver payloads and return to earth for use again. In this essay, we will explore the RLV project, its origins, and the advantages of using RLVs.

The RLV-TD Project

The RLV-TD project is a part of ISRO’s larger efforts to develop technologies like hypersonic flight (HEX), autonomous landing (LEX), return flight experiment (REX), powered cruise flight, and Scramjet Propulsion Experiment (SPEX). The RLV-TD looks like an aircraft and is being developed to provide a low-cost, reliable, and on-demand mode of accessing space.

Origins of the RLV project

ISRO announced one of the first trials of an RLV in 2010, but it was postponed due to technical issues. Another trial was hinted at in 2015, but it was again grounded over technical issues. Finally, the first trial of the RLV-TD was conducted on May 23, 2016. The success of the RLV-Lex test is a significant achievement for ISRO, and it takes India one step closer to developing a fully operational RLV.

Advantages of RLVs
  • RLVs (Reusable Launch Vehicles) offer a significant cost advantage over traditional launch vehicles.
  • By using RLVs, launch costs can be reduced by nearly 80% compared to current costs.
  • RLVs offer a low-cost, reliable, and on-demand method for accessing space.
  • Reusability is a key feature of RLVs, making them more cost-effective than traditional launch vehicles.
  • Traditional launch vehicles are discarded after use, while RLVs can be used repeatedly.
  • RLVs can launch payloads into space and then return to Earth for reuse, potentially reducing the time and cost required for space missions.
Why In News

The successful demonstration of a precise landing experiment for a Reusable Launch Vehicle was carried out by the Indian Space Research Organisation and its partners at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) located in Chitradurga, Karnataka.

MCQs about ISRO’s Reusable Launch Vehicle

  1. What is one of the main advantages of using RLVs?
    A. Reduced launch cost
    B. Higher speed capability
    C. Greater payload capacity
    D. Longer lifespan
    Correct Answer: A. Reduced launch cost
    Explanation: According to the essay, using RLVs can reduce launch costs by nearly 80% compared to current costs.
  2. What makes RLVs more cost-effective than traditional launch vehicles?
    A. They are reusable
    B. They are faster
    C. They can carry larger payloads
    D. They have longer lifespans
    Correct Answer: A. They are reusable
    Explanation: RLVs can be used repeatedly, making them more cost-effective than traditional launch vehicles which are discarded after use.
  3. How can RLVs potentially reduce the time and cost required for space missions?
    A. By increasing the speed of space missions
    B. By increasing the payload capacity of space missions
    C. By reusing the launch vehicle
    D. By extending the lifespan of the launch vehicle
    Correct Answer: C. By reusing the launch vehicle
    Explanation: RLVs can launch payloads into space and then return to Earth for reuse, potentially reducing the time and cost required for space missions.

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