Indian Manned Space Program

[Dash]

I would be very interested to know about Avatara @gslv mk3

 

[SrNair]

First flight 2025 (proposed)

DETAILS OF RLV-TD:

Introduction

ISRO is developing fully Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) technology for two stage to orbit (TSTO) capability.

The first stage will be powered by a semi cryogenic winged booster capable of flying back and landing on a runway near the launch site like a conventional aircraft after burnout.

The second stage will be cryogenic. It will deliver the satellite into orbit, de-orbit and re-enter the atmosphere and parachute down to a soft landing on balloons.

The RLV has been conceived by ISRO as a space launch system that will significantly cut down launch cost from the present level of around $12,000 / kg.

RLV-TD

As a first step towards developing TSTO capability based on RLVs, ISRO will flight test a Reusable Launch Vehicle - Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) that will serve as a flying test bed to evaluate various technologies viz., hypersonic flight, autonomous landing, powered cruise flight and hypersonic flight using air breathing propulsion.

ISRO displayed a scale model of the RLV-TD at Aero India 2009.

The RLV-TD will possess wings and tail fins, and will be launched atop a 9 ton solid booster called S-9, similar to the ones on the PSLV.

RLV-TD is reported to be 9m long, with its wing span also measuring 9m.
Design Approval

On January 5, 2012, DNA reported that the National Review Committee had approved the design of the RLV-TD.

An Isro official said design-related issues have been addressed and presented to the National Review Committee and clearance obtained to go ahead to build the RLV-TD.

Wind Tunnel Tests

ISRO has a hypersonic wind tunnel facility at VSSC, Trivandrum installed by Hind High Vacuum (HHV) Bangalore. The system comprises three Horton Spheres, each 16.3m dia. and 2200 cu m capacity. The system has two parallel pumping trains, each with two mechanical booster pumps with pumping speed of 30,000 cu m / hr backed successively by a 14,000 cu m / hr and 7,000 cu m / hr booster pump and finally by three rotary piston pumps, each with a pumping speed of 1325 cu m / hr.

As in January 2012, the facility was in the process of being commissioned.

Phased Development

Reusable Launch Vehicle technology will be developed in phases through a series of trial flights.

The first in the series of trials is the hypersonic flight experiment (HEX) followed by the landing experiment (LEX), return flight experiment (REX) and scramjet propulsion experiment (SPEX).
Hypersonic Flight Experiment (HEX)

Flight testing will start with RLV-TD (HEX). During the mission, a booster rocket will take the RLV to a specific altitude and release it. The booster rocket will fall back into the sea. The lofted RLV will re-enter the atmosphere independently and be guided for a controlled landing in the sea.

In the first trial-flight, the RLV will not be recovered from sea because it will not be cost-effective to do so. ISRO will instead use telemetry data data on the re-entry, deceleration and return.

Landing Experiment (LEX)

In the second phase RLV will be tested without its scramjet engine. After burnout, the booster will separate and fall away, and the RLV-TD will go on to make an unpowered ascent.

The RLV-TD will then re-enter the atmosphere at hypersonic speed and use aerodynamic breaking to decelerate. It will be brought to a gliding, unpowered cruise speed of about 0.8 mach, and slowed down further to make a horizontal landing.

Return Flight Experiment (REX)

In this phase, the RLV-TD will be launched to orbit and then de-orbited for a landing on a runway.

Scramjet Propulsion Experiment (SPEX)

Eventually, the RLV will be powered by an air breathing scram jet which is being developed under a separate project called Advanced Technology Vehicle (ATV).

Target Completion Date

When initially announced, it was hoped that RLV technology will mature by 2015, by which time the solid rocket booster capable of being recovered and reused would have been developed, as also the scramjet engine to power the RLV.

In June 2011, ISRO Chairman Dr. Radhakrishnan indicated that the program is behind schedule.

First flight of RLV, initially planned for 2010-2011 will now take place in 2012-2013.

We know the system is considerably behind the schedule.
That failure happened during April 15 2010 ,Cryogenic tests took a great toll in our space program.Entire programs suffered a 5 years delay.
RLV is a low cost solution.I have read in a recent article where the expense of launch cost will reduce to less than 1000$ /kg.

Not sure about it.

 

[Dash]

First flight 2025 (proposed)

DETAILS OF RLV-TD:

Introduction

ISRO is developing fully Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) technology for two stage to orbit (TSTO) capability.

The first stage will be powered by a semi cryogenic winged booster capable of flying back and landing on a runway near the launch site like a conventional aircraft after burnout.

The second stage will be cryogenic. It will deliver the satellite into orbit, de-orbit and re-enter the atmosphere and parachute down to a soft landing on balloons.

The RLV has been conceived by ISRO as a space launch system that will significantly cut down launch cost from the present level of around $12,000 / kg.

RLV-TD

As a first step towards developing TSTO capability based on RLVs, ISRO will flight test a Reusable Launch Vehicle - Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) that will serve as a flying test bed to evaluate various technologies viz., hypersonic flight, autonomous landing, powered cruise flight and hypersonic flight using air breathing propulsion.

ISRO displayed a scale model of the RLV-TD at Aero India 2009.

The RLV-TD will possess wings and tail fins, and will be launched atop a 9 ton solid booster called S-9, similar to the ones on the PSLV.

RLV-TD is reported to be 9m long, with its wing span also measuring 9m.
Design Approval

On January 5, 2012, DNA reported that the National Review Committee had approved the design of the RLV-TD.

An Isro official said design-related issues have been addressed and presented to the National Review Committee and clearance obtained to go ahead to build the RLV-TD.

Wind Tunnel Tests

ISRO has a hypersonic wind tunnel facility at VSSC, Trivandrum installed by Hind High Vacuum (HHV) Bangalore. The system comprises three Horton Spheres, each 16.3m dia. and 2200 cu m capacity. The system has two parallel pumping trains, each with two mechanical booster pumps with pumping speed of 30,000 cu m / hr backed successively by a 14,000 cu m / hr and 7,000 cu m / hr booster pump and finally by three rotary piston pumps, each with a pumping speed of 1325 cu m / hr.

As in January 2012, the facility was in the process of being commissioned.

Phased Development

Reusable Launch Vehicle technology will be developed in phases through a series of trial flights.

The first in the series of trials is the hypersonic flight experiment (HEX) followed by the landing experiment (LEX), return flight experiment (REX) and scramjet propulsion experiment (SPEX).
Hypersonic Flight Experiment (HEX)

Flight testing will start with RLV-TD (HEX). During the mission, a booster rocket will take the RLV to a specific altitude and release it. The booster rocket will fall back into the sea. The lofted RLV will re-enter the atmosphere independently and be guided for a controlled landing in the sea.

In the first trial-flight, the RLV will not be recovered from sea because it will not be cost-effective to do so. ISRO will instead use telemetry data data on the re-entry, deceleration and return.

Landing Experiment (LEX)

In the second phase RLV will be tested without its scramjet engine. After burnout, the booster will separate and fall away, and the RLV-TD will go on to make an unpowered ascent.

The RLV-TD will then re-enter the atmosphere at hypersonic speed and use aerodynamic breaking to decelerate. It will be brought to a gliding, unpowered cruise speed of about 0.8 mach, and slowed down further to make a horizontal landing.

Return Flight Experiment (REX)

In this phase, the RLV-TD will be launched to orbit and then de-orbited for a landing on a runway.

Scramjet Propulsion Experiment (SPEX)

Eventually, the RLV will be powered by an air breathing scram jet which is being developed under a separate project called Advanced Technology Vehicle (ATV).

Target Completion Date

When initially announced, it was hoped that RLV technology will mature by 2015, by which time the solid rocket booster capable of being recovered and reused would have been developed, as also the scramjet engine to power the RLV.

In June 2011, ISRO Chairman Dr. Radhakrishnan indicated that the program is behind schedule.

First flight of RLV, initially planned for 2010-2011 will now take place in 2012-2013.

I think the focus is loose on Avatar. It was conceived under earlier ISRO chief and the current chief is more on other techs than this. But its certainly on the cards and like the article says, it will be developed in phases with one tech at a time.

 

[SrNair]

We should remember this great man in this occasion.That man with his own effort headed our space agency (then it was INCOSPAR not ISRO) when we was a toddler in space fairing.

Salute you
Dr.Vikram Sarabhai.

 

[RPK]

https://twitter.com/x/status/545742192669507585

CARE Mission Update:

The CARE module performance matched the predictions bit by bit. It splashed down in Bay of Bengal, very close to the expected location. The module has been recovered with help from the Indian Coast Guard.

 

[Echo_419]

huh.......but Its the U.S/west who sanctioned Iran not India. Or is India following U.S policies?



Thats a very honest observation.

That's why i hate Honesty always ends up hurting peoples emotions

 

[kaku1]

Why are you so desperate to involve Iran my friend? I have no issue with Iran at all but why start pimping out ISRO like this? ISRO's budget is modest right now but the Indian economy is growing and has much better days ahead, in time ISRO's budget is going to swell. ISRO should remain as Indian as possible and there is no need to go to Iran for such assistance.

Not desperate. You remember for manned mission, still the govt. didnt sanctioned the funds. There is a fund crunch inside ISRO. If Iran able to provide half its cost, then whats the problem.

 

[gslv mk3]

I would be very interested to know about Avatara @gslv mk3

RLV is would come only by 2020+.Two stage launcher with first stage powered by 3 SCE 200 ( 2000 kN) and second stage would be powered by 600 kN cryogenic engine.

First stage would be based on the technologies developed on the rlv td,second stage would be based on SRE experiment.

RLV TD HEX 01 would be undertaken by 2015 I think.Landing experiment would be the next.

 

[SOHEIL]

Not desperate. You remember for manned mission, still the govt. didnt sanctioned the funds. There is a fund crunch inside ISRO. If Iran able to provide half its cost, then whats the problem.

No money !

 

[The Great One]

Not desperate. You remember for manned mission, still the govt. didnt sanctioned the funds. There is a fund crunch inside ISRO. If Iran able to provide half its cost, then whats the problem.

Why would Iran provide half the cost for our program, instead of their own. FYI They aren't one of those filthy rich Arab nations. Collaboration with them doesn't add anything to ISRO either even though we are still a small player in this field. Right now, we need a bigger budget and/or stop the useless activities of Antrix (with regard to launching foreign sats), and for now focus on the science and engineering instead of commerce.
Any collaboration should be done with advanced nations/corporates like NASA/ESA/JAXA/Boeing/SpaceX or even the Israelis from whom we got a spy satellite.

RLV is would come only by 2020+.Two stage launcher with first stage powered by 3 SCE 200 ( 2000 kN) and second stage would be powered by 600 kN cryogenic engine.

First stage would be based on the technologies developed on the rlv td,second stage would be based on SRE experiment.

RLV TD HEX 01 would be undertaken by 2015 I think.Landing experiment would be the next.

Which site is this from.

 

[Dash]

RLV is would come only by 2020+.Two stage launcher with first stage powered by 3 SCE 200 ( 2000 kN) and second stage would be powered by 600 kN cryogenic engine.

First stage would be based on the technologies developed on the rlv td,second stage would be based on SRE experiment.

RLV TD HEX 01 would be undertaken by 2015 I think.Landing experiment would be the next.

SO I guess the first image is the final config and the 4th is the experimental TD. Thanks for that. Now I am curious about the interplanetary nuclear stage, are we the only one persuing such a propulsion system or are there any other countries with a smilar and other possible concepts??

 

[proud_indian]

https://twitter.com/x/status/545881248124502016

 

[kurup]

Holy shit! Are these figures accurate dude? If it is, Im so f-king impressed by the specific and total impulse. Quick question why is there such a difference between the thrusts of both rockets?

That's because the thrust given for French booster is the maximum while that of Indian booster is average .

The maximum thrust of the two Indian boosters S200 will be 10,300 KN compared to 12,887 KN of the French .

 

[sathya]

That's because the thrust given for French booster is the maximum while that of Indian booster is average .

The maximum thrust of the two Indian boosters S200 will be 10,300 KN compared to 12,887 KN of the French .

and there is 15 - 18 % difference in propellant mass.

 

[axisofevil]

GUys just wondering doesn't the technical details reveal we are capable of building very longe range missiles? Its seems policy is the only thing holding us back from do so. I guess it makes sense what I have heard about Indian planners not wanting to rile the feathers of the West.