Why don't we have something like this? Oh wait. We did.
Posted on 06/24/2024 6:27:28 AM PDT by Salman
India's Space Research Organization has signalled its intention to build a reusable launch vehicle after a third test of an unpowered experimental precursor again nailed its landing.
The precursor is called the RLV-LEX – the Reusable Launch Vehicle Landing EXperiment – and resembles NASA's retired space shuttle, Russia's Buran reusable vehicle, and the US Air Force's X-37B autonomous spaceplane. The vehicle first flew in April 2023, then again in March 2024.
For its third flight, the craft was again dropped from a helicopter. This time, however, winds were stronger than on previous flights. The lander also made a 500-meter course adjustment as it came in to land – a big increase on the 150-meter shift for the vehicle's second flight – and then "performed a precise horizontal landing at the runway centerline," according to an IRSO announcement.
"Due to this vehicle's low lift-to-drag ratio aerodynamic configuration, the landing velocity exceeded 320km/h, compared to 260km/h for a commercial aircraft and 280km/h for a typical fighter aircraft," the announcement states. A parachute, then landing gear brakes, brought it to a halt. Autonomous systems controlled the rudder and nose wheel steering system to keep the craft rolling straight and true.
The mission employed the same winged body and flight systems used for the second test flight – another important achievement as it demonstrates India's space program can create a reusable vehicle.
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(Excerpt) Read more at theregister.com ...
Why don't we have something like this? Oh wait. We did.
Just wait until it launches................
"India is one of the most polluted countries in the world, with air pollution being a major concern. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India is home to 14 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world."
At least if something goes wrong, they will be able to understand customer support when they call in.
Oh, I agree - except some of that air pollution from China is being blow into the U.S.
“Research has shown that emissions from China’s export industries are carried across the Pacific Ocean and contribute to air pollution in the Western United States.
A study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that trans-Pacific air pollution is a significant problem, with Chinese emissions contributing to a decline in air quality in the Western United States.
The study estimated that Chinese air pollution related to production for exports contributes, at a maximum on a daily basis, 12-24% of sulfate pollution over the Western United States.”
India has a toilet problem ,they build toilets and they still refuse to use them
Maybe they can show some fake animations again to convince the world they’re really landing on the moon.
What propellant are they using...curry?
[snip] Two more experiments are planned by ISRO: OREX (Orbital Return Flight Experiment) and SPEX (Scramjet Propulsion Experiment). The OREX will launch on a GSLV Mark II rocket and renter the earth’s atmosphere for a landing to demonstrate the viability of the project. The OREX vehicle will be 1.6 times larger than the Landing Experiment’s Pushpak platform. It will have retractable landing gear and a thermal protection system for a safe re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. [/snip]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RLV_Technology_Demonstration_Programme#Future
Same size and shape of yhe x-37b
Oh, wait.
We DO have one. In fact, we have TWO.
And they have both been in orbit, and returned successfully.
And one is in orbit right now.
But you already knew that ...
They have nukes. They finance a space program.
And still Western countries send them “development aid” stolen from taxpayer citizens who are forced to turn down the thermostat in winter.
The bullsh!tting just does not stop.
The US sends about US$140m to India. A lot is directed through agencies and NGOs that have their own agendas and India would be happy if they were de-funded.
The Japanese give the largest amount but that is, iirc mainly for the Bullet train project.
https://www.foreignassistance.gov/cd/india/2023/obligations/1
The biggest amount "sent" to India goes to the Salaries and admin costs of USAID itself - $22m of $140m
India is a net donor - and does not need your aid or your Soros funded NGOs.
NASA and ISRO collaborate on Indian lunar missions. The first water on the moon was discovered by a NASA instrument on an Indian spacecraft.
The lander carried a NASA Laser reflector that enables precise distance measurements from the earth. But hey, maybe NASA is in on the fake animations too, right?
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