THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With Indian Space Research Organisation successfully launching Reusable Launch Vehicle — Technology Demonstrator — space scientists say it is a stepping stone to master the key technologies required for designing and developing an operational RLV for ferrying payload to orbit.
An elated Dr K. Sivan, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre director, told this newspaper that he feels his team at VSSC has done something for the country. Mr Sivan said his team had got their confidence levels high with the launch.
“This launch has given us the strength and also our self-confidence is high to proceed and we need to do more technology tests to land on the launch pad of SHAR itself instead of it landing on the specially made runway in the Bay of Bengal.
Also, the one we launched on Monday is a sub-orbital mission and we would prefer to have it in an orbital way,” he said.
Though having the orbital way is going to complex for the space scientists, Dr Sivan is confident of developing the associate requirements with ease due to the excellent team he has at VSSC.
He also said further research and technology development in the areas of propulsion, materials, structures and vehicle configuration will be carried out in a phased manner to achieve this goal.
International space agencies have been eagerly awaiting the outcome of RLV – TD’s launch as it reduces the cost of space missions by more than ten times.
