India successfully tested hypersonic missile vehicle!

HSTDV (Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle)

Why in news?

India joined the elite group Russia, China, US, after successfully conducting first test flight of the indigenously developed HSTDV (Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle) from Odisha coast.

This giant leap will lead to the development of hypersonic cruise missiles in future.

Where the testing has been done successfully?

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully demonstrated its Hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology along with a flight test from Dr. APJ Abdul KalamLaunch Complex at Wheeler Island, Odisha.

What is DRDO?

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) (IAST: raks? an?sandh?n evam vik?s sanga?han) is an agency under the Department of Defence Research and Development in Ministry of Defence of the Government of India, charged with the military's research and development, headquartered in Delhi, India.

What is HSTDV?

HSTDV abbreviated form of Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle is an unmanned scramjet demonstration aircraft.

HSTDV is designed to voyage at Mach 6 speed with scramjet engine up to an altitude of 32.5 km in 20 seconds.

These can be used for launching satellites at low cost and also for long-range cruise missiles in the future. HSTDV also have multiple civilian applications.

What is MACH Number?

Mach 1 is the speed of sound, which is approximately 760 miles per hour at sea level.

An airplane flying less than Mach 1 is traveling at subsonic speeds, faster than Mach 1 would be supersonic speeds and Mach 2 would be twice the speed of sound.