India's first reusable spaceplane

[Kryten]

We have a launch date; May 21st.

[Frida Space]

16 minutes ago, Kryten said:

We have a launch date; May 21st.

I don't know if you mistyped the date or if the website has been updated; either way, it now says May 23rd at 0930 (I'm guessing IST, which would be 0400 UTC). Thanks for the link

[Spaceception]

Here's a video

 

[Nibb31]

If it does launch, this will be the first unshrouded spaceplane to launch on top of a rocket.

It's a configuration that has been proposed many times, but has always ended up getting cancelled: DynaSoar, Hermes, Kliper, DreamChaser, etc...

Edited May 18, 2016 by Nibb31

[Kryten]

3 minutes ago, Nibb31 said:

If it does launch, this will be the first unshrouded spaceplane to launch on top of a rocket.

ASSET was unshrouded.

[Nibb31]

You're right I forgot about ASSET.

[Spaceception]

They had  successful launch! Congrats India!

http://www.theverge.com/2016/5/23/11743096/india-reusable-space-shuttle-launch

[Nibb31]

No images at all ? Not even stills ?

[Spaceception]

34 minutes ago, Nibb31 said:

No images at all ? Not even stills ?

I guess not, maybe they'll release them on us later today.

[tater]

 

Edited May 23, 2016 by tater

[Spaceception]

5 minutes ago, tater said:

 

Looks like symmetry mode wasn't on

[todofwar]

2 hours ago, Spaceception said:

Looks like symmetry mode wasn't on

I'm guessing that's why they need such large fins at the base? Otherwise the shape of the shuttle would screw with maintaining a good launch trajectory?

Also, this whole project has only been $14 million so far. Granted, until they have the working model we can't give them too much credit, but seriously they are masters of cost efficiency. Watch out SpaceX.

[StrandedonEarth]

Yes, fins near the top are bad for stability, which is countered by the huge fins at the bottom.

[PB666]

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-36355842

Mad dash to reinvent the wheel.

Sorry, didn't see taters post.

Edited May 23, 2016 by PB666

[RenegadeRad]

As an Indian, how the heck did I not hear of this?

[PB666]

27 minutes ago, RenegadeRad said:

As an Indian, how the heck did I not hear of this?

http://www.bbc.com/news/science_and_environment

American myself, distrust the hell out of US media so I use the Beeb and NPR/PBS (but they do not have as broad of scope in international news as BBC).

They have been popping headlines for a couple of months about a reusable launch, this is the first article that mentions it by name.

See SSTO galore thread, the discussion was already open there about the full scale version.

r/EverythingScience has had a bunch of threads about this. Caveot Emptor on anything reddit, if you want quantity, its the place, if you want quality, you have to filter.
These are from reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/everythingscience/new

http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-all-set-to-launch-its-own-space-shuttle-today-1408943?pfrom=home-lateststories

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/science/india-all-set-to-launch-its-own-space-shuttle-tomorrow/articleshow/52389095.cms

http://www.firstpost.com/india/isro-set-to-make-history-india-to-be-fifth-nation-to-launch-its-own-space-shuttle-2785156.html?utm_source=fp_hp

http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/isro-embarks-on-launching-indian-space-shuttle-1406368

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Isros-big-leap-embarks-on-launching-Indian-space-shuttle/articleshow/52276174.cms

http://qz.com/684828/india-will-soon-take-the-first-steps-to-launch-its-own-indigenous-space-shuttle/

and many more: https://www.reddit.com/r/EverythingScience/search?q=India+shuttle

Edited May 23, 2016 by PB666