India has joined the other space agency’s and private companies alike (think SpaceX) in the mission to create affordable, reusable spacecraft similar to the airplanes we fly regularly.
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) just announced that it successfully tested its first winged aerospace vehicle. After surviving the high temperatures of re-entry (at five times the speed of sound) back to Earth with the help of its Thermal Protection System, the craft glided down to its pre-determined landing spot over Bay of Bengal.
The total flight duration, from launch to landing of the delta-winged RLV-TD, lasted for about 770 seconds or just under 13 minutes.
India employed critical technologies such as autonomous navigation, guidance and control, reusable thermal protection system and re-entry mission management to prove that it can join the world in the hunt for a reusable spacecraft.
According to the BBC, the 1.7-ton space vehicle was developed over the past five years and cost about $14 million. India hopes to have a full-scale working reusable aircraft in action within the next 10 years.
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