‘Pushpak’ tested successfully: ISRO achieves milestone with 3rd successful reusable launch vehicle landing experiment

On Sunday, June 23, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) marked a significant achievement by successfully conducting its third Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Landing Experiment (LEX), further advancing its capabilities in aerospace technology.

The final test in the series, RLV LEX-03, was carried out at 07:10 am at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga, Karnataka. Building upon the successes of RLV LEX-01 and LEX-02 missions, RLV LEX-03 demonstrated the autonomous landing capability of the winged vehicle ‘Pushpak’ under more challenging conditions. This included a cross range of 500 meters, significantly higher than the 150 meters achieved in previous tests.

The test vehicle, ‘Pushpak,’ was released from an Indian Air Force Chinook Helicopter at an altitude of 4.5 kilometres. Demonstrating its autonomous capabilities, Pushpak executed precise cross-range correction manoeuvres and successfully approached the runway, achieving a horizontal landing at the centerline.

ISRO highlighted the technical challenges overcome during the mission, with Pushpak touching down at a velocity exceeding 320 kmph—higher than that of commercial aircraft and typical fighters. Post-touchdown, the vehicle deployed a brake parachute to reduce velocity to nearly 100 kmph, followed by using its landing gear brakes for deceleration and runway stop. Throughout the ground roll phase, Pushpak utilised its rudder and nose wheel steering systems to autonomously maintain stability.

The mission validated advanced guidance algorithms crucial for correcting longitudinal and lateral errors during high-speed landing conditions, simulating the interface and landing dynamics for vehicles returning from space. This underscores ISRO’s expertise in acquiring critical technologies essential for the development of a Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV).

RLV LEX-03 was a collaborative effort involving multiple ISRO centres such as SAC, ISTRAC, SDSC-SHAR, and IISU, with substantial support from the Indian Air Force, Aeronautical Development Establishment, Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, among others.

The successful execution of RLV LEX-03 reaffirms ISRO’s commitment to advancing aerospace technology, particularly in developing reusable launch vehicles capable of enhancing cost-efficiency and operational flexibility in future space missions. The reuse of flight systems from previous missions further demonstrates ISRO’s capability in design robustness and operational reliability.

ISRO continues to push the boundaries of space exploration and technology development, positioning India as a key player in the global space sector.