Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is planning to test a small reusable space shuttle in the shape of an airplane in July 2015. It’s very important that the project succeeds since this could help lower the cost of sending satellites off into space in the future because the launch vehicle is meant to be reused.
ISRO is most likely to try this with a scaled down version of the airplane-shaped space shuttle, instead of the full size model. The vehicle is expected to be attached to a strap-on booster of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket along with 9 tons of fuel. It is designed to get detached and drop back to Earth upon reaching an altitude of 70km.
The shuttle will glide back to the ground at a speed of 2km per second, it’s descent being controlled by specially fitted fins and other parts. ISRO does not seem keen on employing parachutes to soften its landing. In 2014, the space agency ran its Crew Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment consisting of 3.7-ton module shaped like a humongous cup cake (pictured above).
The intention was to record its re-entry characteristics, study its aero-braking system and validate the advisability of outfitting it with an end-to-end parachute array. The crew capsule (with 3 parachutes) which was strapped on to a 630-ton rocket ascended up to 126km before being separated and falling into the Bay of Bengal, 20 minutes after launch.
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The reusable space shuttle will tip the scales at just 1.5 tons, something that would make it much lighter than the actual vehicle needed to transport a satellite. According to a member of ISRO, the equipment will be guarded from the associated friction heat when it drops back to Earth. This task will be carried out by a collection of protective tiles.
ISRO has decided to test the reusable rocket in the second half of July, says NDTV Gadgets who dug up this news through IANS. It will be launched from Sriharikota which is roughly 80km from Chennai.