Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle
Why in News?
On July 3, 2026, The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted the first static ground test of its new solid motor-based Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments (SOLVE) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota.
What is a Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle?
- Parabolic Trajectory: A sub-orbital vehicle reaches outer space or high altitudes but does not achieve the orbital velocity needed to become an artificial satellite.
- No Full Orbit: The vehicle follows a flight path resembling a ball thrown in the air, falling back to Earth after reaching its peak altitude.
- Cost-Efficient Testbed: It allows space agencies to simulate extreme high-velocity atmospheric return forces without deploying massive, expensive multi-stage orbital rockets.
Key Technical Features of ISRO's SOLVE
- PSLV Integration: The solid stage of SOLVE is derived from the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) Strap-on Motor.
- Slow-Burn Propellant: It features a custom, modified chemical propellant designed to burn slowly. This ensures a steady, controlled climb rather than an explosive hyper-acceleration.
- Advanced Flight Controls: It utilizes a straight nozzle integrated with Secondary Injection Thrust Vector Control (SITVC) for high-precision steering.
- Target Altitude: The vehicle is engineered to transport payloads to an altitude of 10 to 17 kilometers before separation.
Mission Objectives & Working Process
- Payload Separation: At its designated flight peak, the vehicle detaches the experimental Gaganyaan crew module prototype.
- High-Velocity Slipstream: Once separated, the module is exposed to actual atmospheric pressure and resistance.
- Parachute Cascade: The system automates the deployment of a series of 10 distinct parachutes.
- Safe Sea Splashdown: The parachute sequence rapidly reduces the module's velocity, validating a safe landing mechanism into the ocean.
- Broader Research: Beyond Gaganyaan, SOLVE will serve as an indigenous platform for hypersonic technology tests and microgravity experiments.
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