AnduraX, a space technology startup based in Andhra Pradesh, is gearing up to conduct India’s first high-altitude drop test for a reusable spaceplane as part of its long-term goal to achieve an orbital re-entry mission by 2028.
The upcoming test, named ADM-01 (ARES Drop Mission 1), is scheduled for the first week of June. As part of the experiment, the company will lift an experimental vehicle to an altitude of around 25,000 metres using a high-altitude balloon before releasing it in near-stratospheric conditions.
The primary objective of the mission is to gather critical flight data that will help AnduraX refine its guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) systems, along with precision landing technologies for its reusable re-entry vehicle, ARES.
“At AnduraX, we are building reusable reentry systems to make microgravity research and in-space manufacturing more accessible, faster and practical,” said Sree Supranayi, co-founder and CEO of AnduraX.
The company aims to develop a spaceplane capable of carrying payloads to orbit, supporting microgravity experiments and in-space manufacturing, and safely returning them to Earth through controlled low-gravity re-entry and runway-style landings. The ARES system is designed to carry payloads of up to 100 kg.
AnduraX is part of the second cohort of KickSky Space Lab, a space-focused accelerator supported by Riceberg Ventures, E2MC Ventures, and Aniara Space.
This development comes at a time when India is significantly expanding its space research ambitions, including plans for the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, whose first module is targeted for launch by 2028.
Recent Random Post:
