Reusable Launch Vehicle Landing Experiment

LEX was the second test flight of the reusable launch vehicle which was developed by India. The test flight objectives included:[1]

• Simulating the exact conditions of a Space Re-entry vehicle's landing - high speed, unmanned, autonomous, precise landing from the same return path
• Validating the landing parameters such as the ground relative velocity, the sinking rate of landing gears and precise body rates as might experienced by a orbital re-entry space vehicle on its return path

On 2 April 2023, ISRO successfully conducted landing experiment (LEX) of RLV-TD. It was the second test which was conducted after Hypersonic Flight Experiment (HEX). The 6.5 meter long smaller prototype of the reusable launcher was taken to a height of 4.5 kilometres by an Indian Air force Chinook helicopter. Upon reaching the necessary height and attaining the correct predetermined parameters, the RLV was released autonomously. The RLV then autonomously maneuvered, glided down and landed on the extended runway in Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range which was specifically created for the test. For this test, ISRO had collaborated with DRDO and the Indian Air Force. Several new state-of-the-art technologies like Pseudolite system, Ka-band Radar Altimeter, NavIC receiver, indigenous Landing Gear, Aerofoil honey-comb fins and brake parachute system were used and demonstrated in this mission.

After the successful completion of the mission, S. Somanath, chairman of ISRO, said to the media that they are currently planning to conduct more such landing tests so as to check the readiness of software and hardware under different conditions. The next sequence of experiments which are planned to be conducted after Landing Experiment include Re-Orbital Flight Experiment (REX) and Scramjet propulsion experiment (SPEX).[3]

• Indian Space Research Organisation
• Reusable launch system
• Hypersonic Flight Experiment