By Vidit Kumar
On June 23, 2024, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone by successfully completing its third consecutive Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Landing Experiment (LEX). The vehicle, named “Pushpak,” executed a precise horizontal landing, showcasing advanced autonomous capabilities under challenging conditions.
With the successful completion of the RLV LEX objectives, ISRO is now focusing on the next phase: the development of the RLV-ORV (Orbital Reusable Vehicle). This achievement was the result of a collaborative effort involving multiple ISRO centers, including the Space Applications Centre (SAC), the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), and the Inertial Systems Unit (IISU).
The mission also received substantial support from various Indian entities, including the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), the Regional Centre for Military Airworthiness (RCMA) under the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, Indian aerospace industrial partners, the Indian Oil Corporation of India, and the Airport Authority of India.
