Indian space scientists are designing a new genre of rockets and their variants, including a re-usable one, to hoist heavy satellites into space.
One such project involves integration of semi-cryogenic and cryogenic engines along with boosters to launch satellites weighing up to six tons, says Dr K. Radhakrishnan, chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro). “We are in the process of developing a high thrust engine. Our vision is to have a unified launch vehicle with a semi-cryogenic lower stage, and a cryogenic upper stage along with strap-on boosters. It will be used for different masses of payload, and designed to launch up to six tonnes,” he said.
Dr Radhakrishnan said studies have been initiated on the re-usable launch vehicle (RLV) with plans for a lift-off of the technology demonstrator in two years. “We have to understand a gamut of technologies and also prove many new systems. We have to study the aerodynamics of a winged body, the auto pilot, the aero-thermo dynamics, thermal protection system, the de-boost operations for re-entry, navigation and guidance to land precisely on the ground. Of course, some of the lessons learnt from the space shuttle will be incorporated in this vehicle,” he added.
Along with the RLV, Isro would also test air-breathing technology using a scramjet fitted on a sounding rocket in the next couple of years.
Dr Radhakrishnan said the workhorse PSLV, scheduled for another flight on July 15, could well carve a niche for itself in the international market as it has already placed 26 foreign satellites in orbit. Indications are that we have good vehicle for one ton remote sensing and scientific satellites, he said.