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ISRO developing technology to reuse first & second stages of rocket
News
ISRO is working on reusable launch vehicle technology for using the first and second stages of a rocket multiple times.
- ISRO has successfully developed a scaled down (1:5) technology demonstration version of Reusable Launch Vehicle – Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) vehicle and carried out the first experimental mission in 2016
- ISRO plans to conduct an advanced version of the reusable launch technology in June-July 2019
What is Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Demonstrator (RLV TD)?
- The RLV TD is a hybrid vehicle that combines the technologies of an aircraft and launch vehicle, one on top of the other
- The main objectives of the RLV TD are to reduce cost of launch by increasing reusability and to increase reliability by achieving a Two Stage to Orbit (TSTO) capability.
Global Market
- At present, SpaceX dominates the global market of satellite launches and has more than 50% share primarily because of it reusable technology where it uses first stage rocket multiple times
- However, ISRO’s share in the global market is only 0.6%. Mastering RLV technology is expected to increase ISRO’s share significantly
