IIT-Madras researchers achieve ‘soft landing’ for vertical take-off aircraft and UAVs

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) have made a breakthrough for ‘soft landing’ of vertical take-off aircraft and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles).

Combining real-time hybrid rocket thruster with a virtual simulation, the researchers “achieved the necessary velocity for soft landing, a crucial feature for all craft ranging from planetary landing of unmanned or manned exploration module to terrestrial landing of a VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) aircraft”, a press release stated.

Touchdown velocity, the release said, was an important parameter for safe vertical landings and the researchers managed to achieve a touchdown velocity of 0.66 m/s during a test. They also studied the feasibility of using hybrid rocket motor for vertical landing platforms since they were safer than liquid engines and less complicated.

The findings have been published in a paper in the International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences that was co-authored by P.A. Ramakrishna, Head, Rockets and Missiles Lab, Department of Aerospace Engineering; Joel George Manathara, Associate Professor, Department of Aerospace Engineering; and Anandu Bhadran, a researcher at the R and M lab.

Vertical take-off and landing would eliminate the need for infrastructure like runways and this capability will enable access to remote locations and rugged terrain, according to Prof. Ramakrishna. Another significant aspect was the development of a hybrid rocket fuel that required only compressed air as the oxidiser, the press release added.