India launches its first indigenous space shuttle, the RLV-TD from Sriharikota

[Spartan]

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[Spartan]

India on Monday successfully launched its indigenous winged Reusable Launch Vehicle(RLV) from Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh. The vehicle is being dubbed as India's own space shuttle.

The 6.5 m long 'aeroplane'-like structure weighs 1.75 tonnes and was hoisted into the atmosphere on the special rocket booster.

The RLV-TD is described as "a very preliminary step" in the development of a reusable rocket, whose final version is expected to take 10-15 years.

This is the first time that Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched a winged flight vehicle. The government has invested Rs 95 crore into the RLV-TD project.

ISRO Chairman Kiran Kumar while explaining the importance of the experimental RLV said it is essentially an attempt by India to bring down the cost of making infrastructure in space. If reusable rockets become a reality, the cost of access to space may come down by 10 times, he said.

[SANANTONIO]