ISRO has achieved a significant breakthrough in reusable launch vehicle (RLV) technology with the successful landing experiment of RLV LEX-02. This milestone, conducted at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka, signifies a crucial advancement in the development of reusable launch vehicles.

The RLV LEX-02 mission showcased the autonomous landing capability of the reusable launch vehicle under challenging conditions, mimicking the high-speed landing scenario of a vehicle returning from space. Named Pushpak, the winged vehicle was released from an altitude of 4.5 km by an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter. It autonomously navigated towards the runway, making precise corrections for both cross-range and downrange deviations before landing smoothly using its brake parachute, landing gear brakes, and nose wheel steering system.

This successful mission not only demonstrated the capability of autonomous landing but also reaffirmed ISRO's prowess in key technologies such as navigation, control systems, landing gear, and deceleration systems, crucial for high-speed autonomous landings of space-returning vehicles.

Led by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in collaboration with the Liquid Propulsion System Centre (LPSC) and the ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU), this achievement builds upon the success of the previous RLV-LEX-01 mission. Notably, all flight hardware and systems from RLV-LEX-01 were reused after thorough certification, showcasing the viability of reusable flight components.

Based on insights from the earlier mission, enhancements were made to the airframe structure and landing gear to withstand higher landing loads, further improving the vehicle's resilience.

The flawless execution of this complex mission has been applauded by ISRO chairman S Somanath, emphasizing the agency's commitment to pushing boundaries in space exploration. Dr. S Unnikrishnan Nair, Director of VSSC, highlighted that ISRO's repeated success in mastering terminal phase maneuvering, landing, and energy management in fully autonomous mode marks a critical stride towards future endeavors.

Overall, ISRO's relentless efforts in developing crucial technologies for fully reusable launch vehicles aim to democratize access to space, promising a more cost-effective approach to space exploration. This achievement underscores India's dedication to innovation and successful mission execution in advancing space exploration endeavors.