This is a technology demonstrator so it makes sense to start with just a drop but looking at the size of the launch vehicle and the parameters tested here, seems like the progress is coming on slow as the article mentions this was first tested in 2016.
I am not very familiar with rockets, so this might be out of ignorance but wouldn't the plane like characteristics of this TD make it hard to use for actual launch rockets as they travel quite a bit up and having the winged body might add extra overhead compared to a cylindrical stage.
Winged body is supposed to be second stage, sitting vertically on the rocket which lifts the whole rocket. Winged body cross section is almost circular that should match the lifting rocket, reducing the drag considerably.
This winged RLV, vertical landing launchers etc. are research programs that are generally under funded low priority programs. With the launch of India's human spaceflight program, RLV went even further down or priority list. I don't expect anything to come out of this in this decade, until after HSP program launches.
> I don't expect anything to come out of this in this decade, until after HSP program launches.
From a commercial perspective, wouldn't putting more money into heavy launch vehicles and reusability make more sense? Russia's space business will take a hit with the sanctions and that leaves the market open for a price competitive provider other than SpaceX?
ISRO has plans for heavy lifter with reusability, latest iteration of design named ULV. That is waiting on completion of semi-cryo engine they are developing (SCE-200), which is supposed to by complete by early 2010s, but got delayed. With no further updates on the status of SCE-200 after the launch of HSP. With ISRO limited funding and personnel, RLV and ULV took back stage after HSP program went into high gear.
> Russia's space business will take a hit with the sanctions and that leaves the market open for a price competitive provider other than SpaceX?
Surely, that also leaves the market open for an alternative to SpaceX for putting people into space? But yes, reusable launch vehicles should be a high priority.
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I am not very familiar with rockets, so this might be out of ignorance but wouldn't the plane like characteristics of this TD make it hard to use for actual launch rockets as they travel quite a bit up and having the winged body might add extra overhead compared to a cylindrical stage.