In News:

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully demonstrated a new technology with Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (IAD) which it said is a game changer with multiple applications for future missions.
• An IAD, designed and developed by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), was successfully test flown in a ‘Rohini’ sounding rocket from Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS).

What’s in today’s article:

• About IAD (Meaning, Purpose, How it works, Applications)
• News Summary (About ISRO’s Mission) 

Inflated Aerodynamic Decelerator:

• Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator or IAD is a technique used for an atmospheric entry payload.
• An inflatable envelope and an inflatant (anything that inflates the envelope, like air or helium) make up the inflatable aerodynamic decelerator.
• While entering the atmosphere, it inflates like a balloon and decelerates the lander.
• The inflatant is designed to fill the inflatable envelope to a condition such that it surrounds the payload meant to enter the atmosphere of a planet or satellite and causes aerodynamic forces to slow it down.

Applications:

• The IAD has huge potential in variety of space applications like –
  • Recovery of spent stages of rocket,
  • For landing payloads on to Mars or Venus and
  • In making space habitat for human space flight missions.

 News Summary:

• Recently, an IAD, designed and developed by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), was successfully test flown in a ‘Rohini’ sounding rocket from Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS).
  • Rohini sounding rockets are routinely used for flight demonstration of new technologies being developed by ISRO.
• The IAD was initially folded and kept inside the payload bay of the rocket.
• At around 84 km altitude, the IAD was inflated and it descended through atmosphere with the payload part of sounding rocket.
• 

• The IAD has systematically reduced the velocity of the payload through aerodynamic drag and followed the predicted trajectory.
  • This is first time that an IAD is designed specifically for spent stage recovery.
• This demonstration opens a gateway for cost effective spent stage recovery using the Inflatable Aerodynamics Decelerator technology.