ISRO scientists, in collaboration with IIT Madras, have developed India’s first reusable heat shield using carbon-carbon composite and silica gel matrix. The shield can withstand temperatures above 1,800°C and is suitable for multi-use missions, including satellite retrieval and deep-space capsule reentry. The shield was successfully tested on a sounding rocket. It reduces mission costs by up to 25% and is a key component of India’s plan for a reusable launch vehicle (RLV) by 2028.