Airdrop Test for Space Capsule Recovery Experiment Successfully Conducted

The airdrop test of the instrumented Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE)
module was successfully conducted using a Helicopter today (August 19, 2004)
from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota, about 80 km north of
Chennai. Today’s test was the third and the last of the three airdrop tests. The
earlier two tests had been conducted from SDSC in June last. These three tests
were crucial for the qualification of SRE for its flight.

Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE) is intended for demonstrating the
capability to recover an orbiting space capsule. The experiment envisages the
development of a 500 kg recoverable capsule and the associated technologies. SRE
will be launched on board ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) during
the second half of 2005.

After its launch by PSLV, SRE will remain in orbit for a few days during which
it will be used to perform experiments in micro-gravity environment. The capsule
will then be de-orbited and it re-enters the earth’s atmosphere. On re-entry,
after initial aerodynamic braking, a parachute system will reduce the touch down
velocity. The SRE will splashdown in the Bay of Bengal, about 140 km east of
Sriharikota coast. A floatation system will keep the SRE afloat and enables its
recovery. The SRE is intended to test reusable thermal protection system,
navigation, guidance and control, hypersonic aerothermodynamics, management of
communication blackout, deceleration and floatation system, recovery operations,
etc.

Images supporting this release are available at http://www.isro.org/pressrelease/Aug19_2004.htm