India to launch reusable rocket in 2010: Nair

Bangalore, Aug 13 (UNI) India will launch the reusable rocket for the first time in the history of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 2010, ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair said today.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here, he said the facility to study aerodynamics of such rockets was coming up near Tiruvananthapuram and ISRO had already designed a demonstrator to measure the parameters of the vehicle.

Mr Nair said the reusable rocket have a rocket that can propel the launch vehicle at a speed of match five or upwards and then drop into the sea later. "We will now take up exercises to impart air breathing modules that can be integrated into the reusable rockets," he added.

ISRO had asked its space scientists to focus attention on mission to Mars that could happen by 2012. "The atmosphere on Mars is very interesting. The scientists are coming up with some ideas and suggestions," he added.

UNI