The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has successfully test launched the first indigenous Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD). It was launched from the First Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. The launch was part of a series of technology demonstration missions, which is considered as a first step towards realising a Two Stage To Orbit (TSTO) fully re-usable vehicle.

After launch RLV-TD glided back onto a virtual runway in Bay of Bengal and re-entered the atmosphere after reaching a height of over 70 km.

The Re-Usable Launch Vehicle - Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) is considered as a first step towards realising a Two Stage To Orbit (TSTO) fully reusable vehicle. That is, it can put satellites into orbit around earth and then re-enter atmosphere.

• The 6.5 meter long RLV-TD has aeroplane like structure which weighs about 1.75 tons.

• The cost of this project is 95 crore rupees.

• It is very similar to the US space shuttle.

• The double delta-winged RLV-TD being experimented is a scale model which is almost 6 times smaller than the final version.

• Before moving on to the final version of the RLV will take off around 2030, ISRO has planned to test two more such prototypes.  

• It has been designed with an aim to bring down the cost of making infrastructure in space.